Through modification of the heat-treatment process using a higher heating rate and a lower binder burnout temperature, the piezoelectric performance of waterquenched 0.67Bi 1.05 FeO 3 -0.33BaTiO 3 (BF33BT) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics was improved. The observed physical properties of BF33BT ceramics were very sensitive to the process temperatures. The sintering temperature (T S ) was changed within a narrow temperature range, and its effects were investigated. The largest rhombohedral distortion (90°-α R = 0.14°) and tetragonality (c T /a T = 1.022) were observed for the ceramic sintered at 980°C, and its Curie temperature was 476°C.This ceramic showed good piezoelectric properties and large grains; the piezoelectric sensor charge coefficient (d 33 ) was 352 pC/N, and the piezoelectric actuator charge coefficient (d à 33 ) was 270 pm/V. The high piezoelectric performance and low T S of BF33BT ceramics indicate their potential as new low-cost eco-friendly lead-free piezoceramics.
K E Y W O R D Sgrain size, lead-free, piezoelectric, sintering temperature, structural distortion