Synthesis of lead-free (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.82Ce0.08)O3-Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 ceramic and characterization for structural, electrical and mechanical properties

Barium calcium zirconate titanate (BCZT) and sodium bismuth titanate (NBT) are important lead-free ferroelectrics due to their excellent electrical properties compared to other lead-free as well as lead-based ferroelectrics. In this work, [(1-x)(Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.82Ce0.08)O3]-[xNa0.5Bi0.5TiO3] (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00) was synthesized by conventional solid state technique. Ce-BCZT and NBT were calcined separately, and were mixed in three different weight ratios, Ce-BCZT:NBT = 1:3, 1:1, and 3:1. The differences in phases, morphologies, electrical and mechanical properties of the Ce-BCZT-NBT ceramics were confirmed by x-ray diffractometry - Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy, impedance analysis, Vickers hardness testing and nanoindentation methods. The increment in Curie temperature (Tc) and decrement in elastic modulus with the addition of NBT to Ce-BCZT ceramics were observed. Composition with x = 0.75 (NBT75) is found to have the potential for use in ultrasonic cleaners.