Microstructure and electrical properties of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)1−xLix(Ti0.90Zr0.10)1−xNbxO3 ceramics with a low dielectric loss and a low sintering temperature

A low sintering temperature is demonstrated for (Ba0.85Ca0.15)1−xLix(Ti0.90Zr0.10)1−xNbxO3 (BCLTZN-x) piezoelectric ceramics, where BCLTZN-x lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by the normal sintering. Effects of Li and Nb on the microstructure and electrical properties of these ceramics were investigated. The sintering temperature of BCLTZN-x ceramics was decreased greatly by introducing Li and Nb, and the grain size of these ceramics decreases with increasing x. These ceramics with a small amount of Li and Nb maintain good piezoelectric properties, together with a low sintering temperature and a lower dielectric loss. These ceramics with x = 0.01 demonstrate optimum electrical properties: d33 ∼ 353 pC/N, kp ∼ 41.1%, Tc ∼ 86 °C, ɛr ∼ 4236, and tan δ ∼ 0.75%.