Large piezoelectric strain observed in sol-gel derived BZT-BCT ceramics

High performance lead (Pb)-free piezoelectric ceramics with excellent piezoelectric properties is in great demand for sensor and actuator applications. Barium zirconate titanate-barium calcium titanate [xBZT-(1 - x)BCT] (x = 0.5) is one such lead free system, which exhibits high piezoelectric properties similar to lead zirconate titanate (PZT). In this study we report the synthesis and characterization of this lead free [xBZT-(1 - x)BCT] (x = 0.5) via wet chemical sol-gel method. Calcination of the BZT-BCT precursor only at 1000 C (against 1300 C reported in the literature) for 4 h resulted in formation of single phase nanoparticles (