Preparation and dielectric properties of Dy, Er-doped BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 ceramics

Ba(ZrxTi1−x)O3 nanopowders and ceramics with different Zr/Ti ratios of 1:9; 2:8; 2.5:7.5; 3.5:6.5 and 4:6 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.35, 0.4) have been prepared by sol–gel technology using inorganic zirconium as raw materials, and Zr/Ti ratio of 2:8 is determined as the best one according to the measurements of dielectric properties. So the modified Ba(Zr0.2,Ti0.8)O3 ceramics doped by Dy and Er (the additive content is 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.30% and 0.50% molar ratio, respectively) have been prepared, and the effects of rare earth on the microstructure and dielectric properties of Ba(Zr0.2,Ti0.8)O3 ceramics have been studied. The experimental results show that the effect of Er is better than that of Dy in improving the dielectric properties of BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 ceramics. When the content of Er is 0.15 mol%, the dielectric constant is the highest of 12767, while the dielectric loss is lowered to 0.011; the frequency stabilities and the temperature dependence are also better, which is suitable for application in condenser field.