Preparation and properties of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 lead-free ceramics via vat photopolymerization

Lead-free (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 (BCZT) piezoelectric ceramics are ideal materials for the preparation of piezoelectric components owing to their excellent electric properties. However, the conventional forming methods are difficult to realize the preparation of devices with complex structures and high resolution. In this study, BCZT ceramics were fabricated using vat photopolymerization. The rheological and curing properties of BCZT slurry were investigated systematically. The influences of sintering temperature on the phase composition, microstructure, and electric properties of BCZT ceramics were explored. Results showed that as the sintering temperature increased, the phase composition changed from the rhombohedral phase to the coexistence of tetragonal and rhombohedral phases. Moreover, with increased sintering temperature, the dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties were enhanced significantly. The printed BCZT ceramics sintered at 1500 °C exhibited optimal electric properties: d33 = 430 pC/N, εr = 4800, tan δ = 0.025, Pr = 14.38 μC/cm2. These results indicate that vat photopolymerization is a promising method to prepare high-performance lead-free piezoelectric ceramics.