Eur. Phys. J. B (2016) 89: 34
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2015-60532-4

Regular Article

Fabrication and dielectric properties of modified calcium (Pb_0.75Ba_0.25)(Zr_0.7Ti_0.3)O₃ ceramics^*

University of Silesia, Institute of Technology and Mechatronics, 12, Zytnia St., 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland

^a e-mail: beata.wodecka-dus@us.edu.pl

Received: 30 June 2015
Received in final form: 11 October 2015
Published online: 8 February 2016

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to report investigations concerning the influence of homovalent modificators on relaxor properties of PBZT 25/70/30 ceramics. The selection of the proper homovalent additive was very important. Literature reports as well as data taken from the periodic table indicated, that calcium ions substitute themselves for lead ions with high likelihood of occurrence. The investigations showed that the substitution significantly changed the microstructure of ceramics – with grains of calcium modified ceramics decreasing and density increasing. The XRD measurements indicate that the pure PBZT ceramics as well as calcium dopant were characterised by tetragonal structure with space group I4 /mmm. Addition of calcium leads to a slight decrease in the lattice constant and crystal structure. The calcium modification also changes the dielectric properties. The temperature characteristic of the dielectric constant achieved a broadened maximum at temperature T_m, which decreases with increasing Ca content. The properties typical for ferroelectric relaxors weaken with increasing calcium dopant.