Structure and electrical properties of Li-doped BaTiO3-CaTiO3-BaZrO3 lead-free ceramics prepared by citrate method

1 wt% Li-doped 0.75BaTiO3-0.15CaTiO3-0.1BaZrO3 (BCZT) ceramics were prepared by the citrate method. XRD measurement showed that pure perovskite BCZT precursor powders are obtained calcined at 600-700 °C, which exhibit rather homogeneous microstructure morphology with nm-scale grain size. The sintered BCZT ceramics exhibit pure perovskite structure with composition locating at rhombohedral side around the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). Oxide doping and citrate method exert great influences on microstructure and electrical properties of the Li-doped BCZT ceramics. All the synthesized ceramics exhibit excellent dielectric and ferroelectric properties. The Li-doped BCZT ceramics calcined at 700 °C and sintered at 1500 °C exhibit the best dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. The high piezoelectric response of the synthesized Li-doped BCZT ceramics is considered as relating to the MPB effect, Li-doping and wet chemical synthesis method.