Abstract
The 1 mol.-%Sr and 1 mol.-%Sn codoped (Ba0·84Ca0·15Sr0·01)(Ti0·90Zr0·09Sn0·01)O3 (BCSTZS) ceramics were synthesised by the normal solid state sintering method. The electric field and temperature dependence of the ferroelectric properties of the BCSTZS ceramics were investigated. Their energy storage density depending on electric field and temperature was determined from the polarisation–electric field (P–E ) hysteresis loops. According to the dielectric analysis, the BCSTZS ceramics experience three-phase transitions upon cooling. At room temperature, the pyroelectric coefficient p calculated from the remnant polarisation–temperature (Pr–T ) curve is 1116·7 μC K− 1 m− 2, and the figures of merit Fd is 18·1 μPa− 1/2, Fv is 0·013 m2 C− 1 and Fi is 479·3 pm V− 1 respectively. The pyroelectric figures of merit exhibit high frequency stability over a wide range from 100 to 2000 Hz, whereas these values vary gradually with the increase in temperature, which deserves further research to improve their stability. The excellent pyroelectric property of the BCSTZS ceramics is considered as correlating with a polymorphic phase transition occurring around room temperature. The present study demonstrates that the lead free BCSTZS ceramics are promising candidate for replacing the lead zirconate titanate based ceramics.
Acknowledgement
The authors thank the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions for financial support.