Effect of MgO on piezoelectric, dielectric and ferroelectric properties of (Ba1−x Mgx) (Ti0.98 Zr0.02) O3 lead-free piezoceramics

Abstract

Effect of MgO on ferroelectric, dielectric, piezoelectric properties of (Ba 1-x Mg x ) (Ti 0.98 Zr 0.02 ) O 3 , (x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02 and 0.03 mol) lead free piezoceramics was studied. The powders were prepared by conventional solid state reaction method, calcined at 1000°C for 4 h. XRD patterns of the calcined powders show phase pure perovskite structure. The calcined powders were deagglomerated, pressed into pellets and sintered at 1150°C for 3 h. Scanning electron microscopy studies of thermally etched sintered pellets show sub-micron sized grains for undoped BZT and 3-5 lm sized grains for 0.01 mol MgO doped BZT. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis of MgO doped BZT sample confirms the presence of dopants very close to their stoichiometric compositions. The piezoelectric charge constant (d 33 = 164 pC/N), dielectric constant (K = 2348) and remnant polarization (P r = 3.3 lC/cm 2 ) were maximum for BZT samples containing 0.01 mol of MgO.