Effects of V₂O₅ doping on the structure and electrical properties of BCZT lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Lead-free (Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)(Ti_0.9Zr_0.1)O₃-x mol%V₂O₅ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.50) were fabricated successfully via solid-state reaction route and the effects of V₂O₅ doping on the phase composition, microstructure and electrical properties of the ceramics have also been studied. The results indicated that the addition of V₂O₅ significantly lower the sintering temperature of BCZT ceramics to 1350 °C without sacrificing the high piezoelectrical properties. XRD results revealed that the phase structure was not changed with the introduction of V₂O₅. The sinterablity results and the SEM graphs indicated that small amount of V₂O₅ could effectively increase the density and grain size of BCZT ceramics. However, the electrical properties of BCZT ceramics deteriorate rapidly when the amount of V₂O₅ up to 0.5 mol%. Thus, the piezoelectrical properties of BCZT-xV ceramics could be obtained at x = 0.2 mol%, which were as following: d₃₃ = 466 pC/N, k_p = 32.5%, Q_m = 162, P_r = 7.735 µC/cm², ε_r = 3104 and tan δ = 0.03, implying promising applications for lead-free piezoelectric ceramics.