Lead free (Ba0.95Ca0.05) (Ti0.92Sn0.08)O3 electrospun piezoceramic nanofibers

Lead free (Ba0.95Ca0.05)(Ti0.92Sn0.08)O3 (BCTS) piezoceramic nanofibers were electrospun using acetate precursors and Poly Vinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP). The nanofibers were calcined at 1150˚C for 2h, characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) which confirms formation of BCTS phase. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) studies show fibers cylindrical with diameter in the range 80-275 nm. The dielectric constant of a circular pellet of the above calcined nanofibers sintered at 1250˚C/2h was 3485 @ 100Hz, RT and the piezoelectric charge constant (d33) was 398 pC/N. The novelty of this work is the preparation of thin sheets of piezo material as replacement of lead based PZT sensors.