Effects of Mn-doping on the properties of (Ba0.92Ca0.08)(Ti0.95Zr0.05)O3 lead-free ceramics

• BCTZ-xMn piezoelectric ceramics have been synthesized by solid-state reaction.
• The high Qm of the BCTZ ceramics were obtained after Mn doping.
• The addition of Mn helps to reduce the tan δ of BCTZ ceramics.
• The PPT deviating from room temperature with the increase of Mn content.

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics (Ba0.92Ca0.08)(Ti0.95Zr0.05)O3–xmol%Mn (BCTZ–xMn) were synthesized by a traditional solid-state reaction. Effects of Mn addition on the microstructure and electrical properties of ceramics were investigated in the composition range of 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 2.2. High mechanical quality factor of Qm = 921 and low dielectric loss of tan δ = 0.3% have been obtained at x = 2.0. With the increase of Mn content, the piezoelectric constant d33 and planar electromechanical coupling coefficient kp decrease with deviation from the polymorphic phase transition (PPT) region, and the Curie temperature TC gradually decreases. The relative high d33, kp and TC still maintain about 224 pC/N, 33.6% and 102 °C at x = 2.0, respectively. These results indicate that the BCTZ–xMn ceramics are promising candidate for the lead-free piezoelectric applications.

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