Phase transformation and dielectric properties in Ba1−xLaxZr0.1Ti0.9O3 ceramics

•La3+ ions entered the unit cell maintaining the perovskite structure.•The dielectric behavior show a crossover from ferroelectric to relaxor characteristics.•Remnant polarization and strain decreased with increasing La concentration.

Ba1−xLaxZr0.1Ti0.9O3 ceramics have been prepared by the mixed-oxide route, and their structure and dielectric properties have been investigated. Results showed that La3+ ions entered the unit cell maintaining the perovskite structure. The evolution of dielectric behavior from a sharp dielectric peak with pinched phase transitions (x = 0.00) to a broad dielectric peak with frequency dependence (0.01 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.02) and successively to a ferroelectric relaxor (x = 0.05) was observed with increasing La concentration. Furthermore, remnant polarization and strain decreased due to phase transformation from ferroelectric tetragonal to paraelectric pseudocubic at room temperature.