Optical and electrical performance of translucent BaTiO3-BaSnO3 ceramics

Lead-free piezoceramic with the composition of 0.89BaTiO3-0.11BaSnO3 (BT-11BS) was prepared by solid-state reaction followed by conventional sintering achieving nearly full density. The influence of sintering temperature on electrical properties were thoroughly investigated, implying a significant role in achieving best properties, which were obtained between 1420-1440 °C. The addition of SnO2 in BaTiO3 solid solution promoted grain growth, eventually resulting in the grain sizes between 145-216 μm. An ultrahigh dielectric permittivity > 5.0 × 104 and related dielectric loss of 3.1% at ~ 40 ⁰ C was achieved. A high value of quasi-static piezoelectric constant (d33) of 693 pC/N and the converse piezoelectric constant (denoted as d33*) reached a value of up to 831 pm/V in the frequency range between 10-110 Hz. The transmittance of ~ 25% in the visible region and ~ 40% in the infrared region together with good electromechanical properties showcasing a unique combination for this material.