BaZrO3-Based Ceramics and Ceramic Composites as Smart Materials for Advanced Applications

Abstract

Ancient human history invites significant learning with unknowing facts and fascinations. Significant development and transitions in the human lifestyle are visualized from the capitalized materials. “Ceramics”, as antique as it sounds, is frequently used for innumerable applications. From pottery to pellets, ammunition to antennas, electrolytes to electronics, all exist under the radar of ceramic materials. The dominant trait of ceramic materials for advanced applications is constantly replenished to extract peerless products for future utilization. Ionic or covalent bonding in ceramic microstructures administers their suitable mechanical, electrical and chemical characteristics. Pristine ceramics display low conductivity and chemical stability, while doped ceramics via implanted impurities empower their characteristics. The nature of dopants and defect substitution differs on the target application. The vastly introspected energy sector is permeated with acceptor-doped perovskite ceramics, while the defense sector inquests over piezoelectric ceramics and ceramic composites. The trivial facet amongst all is the use of Barium Zirconate (BaZrO3 ) based ceramic compositions. It has been substantially contemplated to visualize the role played by BaZrO3 in multiple domains. Either as a parent material or as an additive, BaZrO3 attracts research groups from diverse sectors. Compiled with innumerable advantages, it accompanies a few limitations. The vital thing is the high sintering temperature along with the trade-off between proton conductivity and chemical stability. However, BaZrO3 -based ceramics are keenly monitored and tailored in an attempt to subsidize the maximum possible drawback with a simultaneous improvement in their properties. In the following chapter, we emphasize BaZrO3 -based ceramic and ceramic composites as smart materials for advanced applications. The extended applications in the energy sector, photocatalysts for hydrogen production, smart bullet systems in defense and microwave dielectric resonators for wireless communications are elaborately introspected with key insights.&nbsp;<br>