Influences of Firing Temperatures on Phase and Morphology Evolution of (Ba0.25Sr0.75)(Zr0.75Ti0.25)O3 Ceramics Synthesized via Solid-State Reaction Method

The effect of calcination (1000-1400 oC) and sintering temperatures (1400-1600 oC) on the phase formation and microstructure of barium strontium zirconate titanate [(Ba0.25Sr0.75)(Zr0.75Ti0.25)O3; BSZT] ceramics were investigated. BSZT powders were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. Higher calcination temperatures increased the percentage of the perovskite phase, but decreased the lattice parameter a of BSZT powders. The pure perovskite phase of BSZT powders was detected above the calcination temperature of 1350 oC. The microstructure of BSZT powders exhibited an almost-spherical morphology and had a porous agglomerated form. The average particle size and the average grain size of the ceramics were increased with the increase of calcination and sintering temperatures. The highest density of the samples was 5.42 g/cm3 which was obtained from ceramic sintered at 1550 oC for 2 h.