In the present work, BaZr0.05Ti0.95O3 ceramics with grain sizes between 0.45 and 135 µm were prepared by solid-state reaction and classical sintering. The effect of grain size on dielectric properties was systematically explored, and it was found that dielectric permittivity reaches a maximum value for grain sizes between 1.5 and 10 µm and then rapidly drops for larger grain sizes. A numerical finite element method was employed to eliminate the effect of porosity on the effective values of permittivity. The results indicate that it is possible to have a critical size in slightly doped barium titanate ceramics with enhanced functional properties for a grain size between 1.5 and 10 µm.
Keywords: ceramics; dielectric permittivity; finite element method; grain size.