Synthesis and enhanced electromechanical properties of Bi(Mg_0.5Zr_0.5)O₃-modified BiFeO₃–BaTiO₃ piezoceramics by ordinary firing process

The crystal structure and electromechanical properties of a novel lead-free (1–z) (0.67Bi_1.05FeO₃–0.33BaTiO₃)–zBi(Mg_0.5Zr_0.5)O₃ (BFBT–BMZ100z, with z = 0.00–0.10) ceramic were studied using a mixed oxide method. The addition of BMZ to the BF-BT host system had no significant influence on the crystal structure. The dielectric constant was reduced when BMZ was incorporated, and the dielectric curves became more dispersed. For z = 0.060 composition, increased electric field-induced strain was attained with dynamic piezoelectric constant S_max/E_max = d*₃₃ = 315 pm/V at 4 kV/mm. This sample (z = 0.060) also has a high Curie temperature of T_C = 420 °C. The developed system's observed features suggest that it could be useful for high-temperature piezoelectric devices.