LAUSR

Abstract This present work involves the synthesis of lead - free (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3– BCZT ceramics through solid-state process and its aging behaviour effect on piezoelectric and dielectric properties. Aging phenomenon occurs in ferroelectric state and associated with change in polarization with time. Aging behaviour occurs, below the Curie temperature, in the form of stress relaxation in absence of external field, mechanical stress and temperature. During the processing of the BCZT ceramics mechanical, thermal and electrical stresses were generated which subsequently relaxed in the process of aging that was confirmed by time dependent polarization vs. electric field (hysteresis behaviour) measurements. Aging phenomenon in BCZT ceramics were studied by measuring the piezoelectric and dielectric properties with time and is correlated with the variations in crystal structure using the x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy data.