Properties of Pb1-xBax(Zr1-yTiy)1-zSnzO3 (x = 0.03, y = 0.02, z = 0÷0.08) Ceramics

This paper presents the results of obtaining and investigations of Pb_1-xBa_x(Zr_1-yTi_y)_1-zSn_zO3₃(PBZTS) ceramics with constant x = 0.03 and y = 0.02, and variable z = 0, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 (abbreviations of the samples were following PBZTS0, PBZTS4, PBZTS6, PBZTS8, respectively). The investigated compositions are close to rhombohedral-orthorhombic morphotropic phase boundary. The ceramic samples have been obtained by conventional ceramic technology from simple oxides PbO, ZrO₂, TiO₂, SnO₂ and barium carbonate BaCO₃. The ceramic powders, after calcination, have been pressed into discs and sintered using free sintering (FS) method. For samples obtained in such a way, the dielectric properties at various frequencies and electrical conductivity have been investigated. The increase of Sn content orders the microstructure of ceramics, and as a result the improvement of the dielectric properties of ceramic samples can be obtained.