Effect of template content on the structure and piezoelectric properties for BT‐based textured ceramics

Abstract Texture engineering stands as a pivotal strategy for enhancing the performance of lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics. The degree of texture ( F 001 ), a paramount parameter governing electromechanical properties, is critically dependent on the concentration of anisotropic templates. This study presents a systematic investigation into the influence of BaTiO 3 (BT) template content on the microstructure evolution and functional properties of [0 0 1] c ‐textured (Ba 0.99 Ca 0.01 )(Ti 0.98 Zr 0.02 )O 3 (BCTZ) ceramics fabricated via templated grain growth (TGG). Our findings reveal a non‐monotonic relationship: at lower concentrations, BT templates facilitate epitaxial growth, leading to a concomitant increase in F 001 , piezoelectric coefficient ( d 33 ), and electromechanical coupling factor ( k p ). However, beyond an optimal threshold, excessive templates induce stoichiometric deviations, microstructural heterogeneity, and performance degradation. The optimal composition, BCZT with 3 mol% BT templates, achieves an exceptional texture degree of 97% and a superior d 33 of 591 pC/N, significantly outperforming its randomly oriented counterpart. Furthermore, synergized with phase boundary engineering, this composition exhibits remarkable thermal stability (<18% strain variation over 20–100°C) and a high output power density of 7.8 µW/mm 3 under an acceleration of 10 m/s 2 . These outstanding properties underscore the great potential of textured BCZT ceramics for high‐stability piezoelectric applications.