Enhanced electrical activity induced by high-energy milling in lead-free BCST piezoceramics

(Ba,Ca)(Sn,Ti)O3 (BCST), a potential lead-free piezoceramic, faces serious shortcoming in view of its low Curie temperature (Tc), limiting its practical applications. The present work utilizes conventional sintering route assisted by high-energy milling technique for the synthesis of BCST to enhance its practical applicability. Restch PM100 planetary ball mill is employed to produce (Ba0.88Ca0.12)(Ti0.94Sn0.06) nanopowders by increasing the milling speed from 100 to 400 rpm, each for 5 h. A monotonous fall in average particle size from 202 nm to 7 nm with rising speed from 100 to 400 rpm leads to an appreciable increase in Tc by 6 °C accompanied with a substantial lowering of diffusiveness of the phase transition, and enormous increase of average grain size by 250%, remnant polarization (Pr) by 77% and piezoelectric coefficient (d33) by 60%. The study discloses that incorporation of cost-effective high-energy ball milling procedure can play an exceptional role in addressing some vital drawbacks associated with the highly complex BCST system and hence heighten the candidature of this system for lead-free piezoceramic.