Effects of CaO–B2O3–SiO2 glass additive on the microstructure and electrical properties of BCZT lead-free ceramic

Addition of CaO–B2O3–SiO2 (CBS) glass was performed to lower the sintering temperature of lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 (BCZT) ceramics. Orthorhombic and tetragonal phases coexisted in CBS-free BCZT ceramics. The BCZT ceramics transformed into a pseudo-cubic phase when sintered at 1300 °C with increasing CBS glass content. Additionally, the secondary phase, Ba2TiSi2O8, was observed when CBS glass was added. The density initially increased, reached a maximum value with 2 wt% CBS glass, and then decreased rapidly with further increase in CBS glass content, which was consistent with the microstructure. The ɛ, Tc, Pr, and d33 depend on microstructure, and the results agree with the density. Evident relaxation behavior was observed. Observed results were inferred to be dependent on the microstructure, phase structure, lattice distortion, and secondary phase. The sample with 2 wt% CBS glass showed the excellent performance, which could be a promising substitute to lead-free piezoelectric ceramics for lead-based materials.