The solid solution 0.5Ba(Ti0.8Zr0.2)O3-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BCZT) is a
promising lead-free piezoelectric material with exceptionally high
piezoelectric coefficients. The strong response is related to structural
instabilities close to ambient temperature. We report here on
temperature-induced anomalies in the dielectric, piezoelectric, and elastic
coefficients and Raman spectroscopy of ceramic BCZT. The data indicate
ferroelectric-ferroelectric structural phase transitions in this material in
addition to those previously reported. An anomaly is also observed above the
Curie temperature TC and is associated with the loss of polar structure that
persists thirty degrees above TC
