Elastic, dielectric and piezoelectric anomalies and Raman spectroscopy of 0.5Ba(Ti0.8Zr0.2)O3-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3

TL;DR

This study investigates the temperature-dependent dielectric, elastic, piezoelectric, and Raman properties of BCZT, revealing structural phase transitions and anomalies related to ferroelectric behavior and polar structure loss above the Curie temperature.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the temperature-induced structural and property anomalies of BCZT, a promising lead-free piezoelectric material.

Findings

Identification of ferroelectric-ferroelectric phase transitions.

Observation of anomalies above the Curie temperature.

Persistence of polar structure loss above TC.

Abstract

The solid solution 0.5Ba(Ti0.8Zr0.2)O3-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BCZT) is a promising lead-free piezoelectric material with exceptionally high piezoelectric coefficients. The strong response is related to structural instabilities close to ambient temperature. We report here on temperature-induced anomalies in the dielectric, piezoelectric, and elastic coefficients and Raman spectroscopy of ceramic BCZT. The data indicate ferroelectric-ferroelectric structural phase transitions in this material in addition to those previously reported. An anomaly is also observed above the Curie temperature TC and is associated with the loss of polar structure that persists thirty degrees above TC.