Lead-free bismuth sodium titanate zirconate (Bi0.5Na0.5Ti1-xZrxO3 where x = 0.20, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.60, and 0.80 mole fraction) [BNTZ] ceramics were successfully prepared using the conventional mixed-oxide method. The samples were sintered for 2 h at temperatures lower than 1,000°C. The density of the BNTZ samples was at least 95% of the theoretical values. The scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that small grains were embedded between large grains, causing a relatively wide grain size distribution. The density and grain size increased with increasing Zr concentration. A peak shift in X-ray diffraction patterns as well as the disappearance of several hkl reflections indicated some significant crystal-structure changes in these materials. Preliminary crystal-structure analysis indicated the existence of phase transition from a rhombohedral to an orthorhombic structure. The dielectric and ferroelectric properties were also found to correlate well with the observed phase transition.

Lead-free bismuth sodium zirconate powder with formula Na0.5Bi0.5ZrO3 was prepared by conventional mixed oxide method. Bismuth sodium zirconate (BNZ) powder with 10wt%Na2CO3 was calcined at 800 °C for 2 h dwell time. Investigation of the effects of re-calcination and dwell time on phase formation of powders was also carried out. The results revealed that re-calcination significantly affected the formation of single-phase BNZ powder. Phase characteristics were checked by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Powder Cell software was employed to simulate crystal structure of BNZ powder. It was found that BNZ powder most likely possessed an orthorhombic structure. SEM result showed its average particle size was 0.47 mm and composition measured EDX correlated with theoretical composition of BNZ.

Bismuth sodium zirconate titanate ceramics with the formula Bi0.5Na0.5Zr1-xTixO3 [BNZT], where x = 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6, were prepared by a conventional solid-state sintering method. Phase identification was investigated using an X-ray diffraction technique. All compositions exhibited complete solubility of Ti4+ at the Zr4+ site. Both a decrease of unit cell size and phase transition from an orthorhombic Zr-rich composition to a rhombohedral crystal structure in a Ti-rich composition were observed as a result of Ti4+ substitution. These changes caused dielectric properties of BNZT ceramics to enhance. Microstructural observation carried out employing SEM showed that average grain size decreased when addition of Ti increased. Grain size difference of BNZT above 0.4 mole fraction of Ti4+ displayed a significant increase of dielectric constant at room temperature.

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