LAUSR

Abstract In this paper, we studied the effect of Cr2O3 doping (0–0.8 wt%) on the phase formation, dielectric, ferroelectric and magnetic properties of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.90Zr0.10)O3 (BCTZ) ceramics prepared by the solid state combustion method. All samples were prepared with a calcined and sintered temperature of 1050 °C and 1450 °C, respectively, for 2 h. The results of the XRD patterns showed the coexistence between the tetragonal (T) and orthorhombic (O) phases for all samples, and the tetragonal phase increased with increasing amounts of Cr2O3. The dielectric constant decreased when Cr2O3 increased. The P-E hysteresis loops of the BCTZ ceramics doped with Cr2O3 between 0 and 0.2 wt% showed slim and saturated loops. By increasing Cr2O3 doping from 0.4 to 0.8 wt%, the P-E loops were unsaturated and a leakage current was produced. The undoped BCTZ ceramics exhibited diamagnetic behavior. The sample with 0.2 wt% Cr2O3 showed ferromagnetic behavior. Increasing Cr2O3 doping from 0.4 to 0.8 wt%, caused the ceramics to exhibit paramagnetic behavior. Doping with Cr2O3 led to improper ratios between the tetragonal and orthorhombic phases, decreased density and increased porosity which caused a decrease in the electric properties.