The ZnO-added (Bi_0.5Na_0.5)_0.94Ba_0.06TiO₃ (denoted as BNBTZ) ceramics were prepared by means of a solid-state reaction method. The ceramics were sintered at 0.5 ℃/min and 9 ℃/min. Their microstructure, phase structure, piezoelectric, and dielectric properties were investigated. Both the ceramics exhibit dense microstructures. Compared to the ceramics sintered at 0.5 ℃/min, those sintered at 9 ℃/min have smaller grains. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive spectrum reveal that the ceramics exhibit two phases, i.e., BNBTZ phase with perovskite structure and ZnO phase. The movement of the peak position implies enlargement of the crystallite lattice due to the entrance of Zn²⁺ ions into the lattice. The effect of sintering rates on depolarization behavior was discussed.

Keywords: Lead-free ceramics, Microstructure, Piezoelectric properties, Depolarization, Sodium bismuth titanate