Y2O3-modified Ba(Ti0.96Sn0.04)O3 ceramics with improved piezoelectricity and raised Curie temperature

•The phase structure of Ba(Ti0.96Sn0.04)O3–xY2O3 ceramics is changed with Y2O3 doping.•Y2O3 doping markedly enhance the piezoelectricity of the ceramics.•The Curie temperature of ceramics is raised with Y2O3 doping.

Ba(Ti0.96Sn0.04)O3–xY2O3 (BTS–Y) lead-free piezoceramics are fabricated by the conventional solid state reaction technique. The influences of Y3+ substitution on the phase structure, dielectric properties and piezoelectricity of BTS–Y piezoceramics are investigated. XRD patterns show the ceramics possess a pure perovskite structure. The orthorhombic–tetragonal (O–T) phase transition dielectric peak shifts toward lower temperature with increasing Y3+ content. The compositions x = 0.15 − 0.25% that are at O–T polymorphic phase transition region possess excellent piezoelectricity and the maximum piezoelectric constant d33 of 454 pC/N is obtained at x = 0.2%. The ceramics’ Curie temperatures (TC) are monotonically increased from 71 °C for x = 0 − 86 °C for x = 0.4% due to Y3+ substitution and the usage temperature range of BTS–Y piezoceramics is broadened. Compared with Ca2+ which also decreases the O–T phase transition temperature (TO–T) but hardly affects the TC of BaTiO3-based ceramics, Y3+ substitution seems to be more beneficial for the practical application of the piezoceramics.

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