Fabrication of reduction-resistant batio3-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics and approach for improving their properties

Piezoelectric materials are currently applied in various electronic devices. Multilayer technology has become indispensable for the miniaturization of electronic devices. In this case, the development of materials that do not contain toxic elements has been receiving considerable attention because of environmental issues. This tutorial paper describes the processing of reduction-resistant BaTiO3-based piezoceramics with improved properties for multilayer-type component using base metal internal electrodes. Nonreducible BaTiO3-based ceramics that exhibited a high piezoelectric constant equivalent to that of samples prepared in air were successfully fabricated at temperatures below the melting point of Ni metal. Grain-oriented ceramics were prepared by the reactive templated grain growth method using platelike perovskite oxide particles. The electrical properties of the BaTiO3based ceramics, sintered in the reducing atmosphere, were markedly improved as a result of fabricating grain-oriented samples. A desired reducing atmosphere was achieved by controlling the oxygen partial pressure with a suitable mixture of Ar, H2, and CO2 gases. Optimizing the amount of Li2CO3 added to composition modified BaTiO3-based ceramics sintered under a low oxygen partial pressure resulted in improved piezoelectric properties while maintaining the high sintered density. Reduction-resistant BaTiO3-based ceramics developed in this study are promising lead-free materials for applications in multilayer piezoelectric components. © 2020 Journal of the Japan Society of Powder and Powder Metallurgy. All rights reserved.