Decreasing sintering temperature for BCZT lead-free ceramics prepared via hydrothermal route
(Ba[Formula: see text]Ca[Formula: see text])(Zr[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text])O3 (BCZT) lead-free ferroelectric ceramics were prepared at low sintering temperature via a hydrothermal route. The hydrothermal-synthesized BCZT precursor powder presents phase-pure perovskite structure and rather homogenous particles with dozens nanometers, which provides high sintering activity. Pure perovskite BCZT ceramics are synthesized at rather low sintering temperature accompanied by rather uniform microstructure morphology and high relative density. Dielectric peaks of the BCZT ceramics are rather broad, and their dielectric response behavior combines the characteristics of both the normal and relaxor ferroelectrics. The BCZT ceramics exhibit excellent ferroelectricity and promising electric energy density, which can be enhanced further with increasing electric field.