Dielectric properties of barium zirconate titanate (BZT) ceramics tailored by different donors for high voltage applications

The dielectric properties of BZT ceramics with different Zr contents and donor types are studied. It is shown that the large enhancement of the dielectric permittivity is achieved accompanying with the remarkable shift of Curie temperature in the samples doped with donors such as La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Dy, and Yb, whereas the results are different in them doped with other type of donors such as Ce and Y. The shift of Curie temperature is related to the ionic radii of the doped donors. A smaller ion results in a greater shift. The dielectric properties of BZT with different doping levels of Yb are also studied and showed that there is a preferable doping content as Yb ∼0.1% to make the material with the highest permittivity, ɛ ∼25,800, withstand voltage >∼3.5 kV/mm.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Different donors result in different effects on the dielectricity of BZT ceramics. ► Nd, Sm, Eu, Dy, and Yb are found to enhance the dielectric permittivity distinctly. ► Eu and Yb are proposed as preferable candidates for giant permittivity. ► The BZT ceramics with giant permittivity and high breakdown voltage is obtained.