Enhanced piezoelectricity and temperature stability in (1 − x)BiFeO3–xBaTiO3 lead-free ceramics

The relationship between phase structure and piezoelectric characteristics is demonstrated by producing a sequence of (1 − x)BiFeO3–xBaTiO3 ceramics. A morphotropic phase boundary between the R and PC phases in BF–xBT ceramics is observed within the 0.285 ≤ x ≤ 0.315 range. High piezoelectric properties with a piezoelectric constant (d33) of 174 pC/N and a planar electromechanical coupling coefficient of 0.33 are achieved in BF–xBT ceramics at 0.285 ≤ x ≤ 0.315 due to the coexistence of the R and PC phases. In addition, a slight variation (±15%) in Δd33/d33 over the temperature range of 25–400 °C is noted in BF–xBT ceramics at 0.285 ≤ x ≤ 0.315, indicating that BF–xBT ceramics hold promising potential for use in high-temperature applications.