Elaboration and characterization of BZT lead-free ceramic prepared in chemical way and with the addition of a sintering aid (LBCU)

Abstract : The Barium Titanates are very promising materials ecologically, but still have poor piezoelectric properties compared to the Lead Zirconate Titanates. So in order to improve them, a substitution of the zirconium in our ceramic (BT) has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and grain size distribution. After the preparation of the BZT powder in chemical way we have added a sintering aid (Li2O3 - Bi2O3-CuO) and we have tried to study our massive ceramic. The X-ray diffraction, grain size distribution and scanning electron microscope of the BZT with LBCu show a better particles arrangement and density. In other hand we have noticed an important improvement of the piezoelectric properties (d33 = 220 pC/N at 25°C) especially in comparison with other lead-free ceramics. These properties make BZT a lead-free high performance material for piezoelectric applications.