Enhanced piezoelectric properties of (1 − x)BiFe0.98(Zn0.5Hf0.5)0.02O3-xBaTiO3 ceramics near the morphotropic phase boundary

Abstract

Here, (1 − x)BiFe_0.98(Zn_0.5Hf_0.5)_0.02O₃-xBaTiO₃ + 1 mol% MnO₂ (x = 0.225, 0.250, 0.265, 0.275, 0.285, and 0.300) (BFZH-xBT) ceramics were synthesized using a traditional ceramic sintering technique. A morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) consisting of rhombohedral (R) and tetragonal (T) phases was formed in the BFZH-xBT ceramics when x = 0.285. The suitable content of BT was conducive to enlarge the particle size, improve ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties, and reduce the leakage current density. For the optimal component at x = 0.285, we observed the largest grain size, a lowest leakage current density value of ∼1.93 × 10⁻⁵ A cm⁻², minimum content of oxygen vacancies, high temperature of 478 °C and the highest piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃) of 130 pC N⁻¹.