Microstructure, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of (1 − x − y)Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-xBaTiO3-yBi0.5Ag0.5TiO3 lead-free ceramics

▶ The microstructure, piezoelectric, ferroelectric properties, and P-E hysteresis loops of the ternary system (1 − x − y)Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-xBaTiO3-yBi0.5Ag0.5TiO3 lead-free ceramics were investigated. ▶ A morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between rhombohedral and tetragonal phases of the system is formed at x = 0.06-0.08. ▶ Near the MPB, the ceramics with x = 0.06 and y = 0.05-0.06 possess optimum electrical properties: Pr ∼ 42.5 μC/cm2, Ec ∼ 32.0 kV/cm, d33 ∼ 172 pC/N, kp ∼ 32.6%, and kt ∼ 52.6%. ▶ This material is expected to be a promising candidate lead-free piezoelectric ceramic.