This paper presents the results of obtaining and investigations of Pb1–xBax(Zr1–yTiy)1–zSnzO3 (PBZTS) ceramics with constant x = 0.03 and y = 0.02, and variable z = 0, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 (abbreviations of the samples were following PBZTS0, PBZTS4, PBZTS6, PBZTS8, respectively). The investigated compositions are close to rhombohedral-orthorhombic morphotropic phase boundary. The ceramic samples have been obtained by conventional ceramic technology from simple oxides PbO, ZrO2, TiO2, SnO2 and barium carbonate BaCO3. The ceramic powders, after calcination, have been pressed into discs and sintered using free sintering (FS) method. For samples obtained in such a way, the dielectric properties at various frequencies and electrical conductivity have been investigated. The increase of Sn content orders the microstructure of ceramics, and as a result the improvement of the dielectric properties of ceramic samples can be obtained.

In the paper the multiferroic (ferroelectric-ferromagnetic) composites based on ferroelectromagnetic/ferroelectric (BaFe1/2Nb1/2O3 (BFN)) powder and ferrite powder (zinc-nickel ferrite) were obtained by two technological methods. In the composite samples the ratio of the ferroelectromagnetic/ferroelectric powder to the magnetic powder was equal to 90:10. The ceramic powders were synthesized by the classical technological method using powder calcination/solid state synthesis, while densification of the composite powders (sintering) was carried by two different methods: (i) Free Sintering method (FS), and (ii) Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS).

At the work, a comparison of measurement results for composite samples obtained by two sintering methods was made. The studies included the following analysis: DTA, XRD, SEM, DC electrical conductivity, electric permittivity and magnetic properties. The result of measurements presented in the work revealed that the ceramic composite obtained by two different technological sintering method (classical technology – Free Sintering method and Spark Plasma Sintering technique) can be promising lead-free materials for functional applications, for example in sensors for magnetic and electric field.

We present the results of investigations of Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3 (PFN) ceramic samples obtained using two-step synthesis (i.e. columbite method). For obtained samples complex investigations of microstructure, magnetic and electrophysical properties have been performed at low and at high temperatures. Microstructure is characterized by small grains with high homogeneity and high density (low porosity). Impedance of samples and the phase shift angle have been measured using LCR Meter. Next the AC electric conductivity, dielectric permittivity and loss tangent have been calculated. AC conductivity at frequency 3 Hz was measured in similar way using Quantum Design PPMS System in magnetic fields 1000 Oe and 10000 Oe. At temperature range 240K-260K the anomalies of conductivity are observed. These anomalies depend on measuring cycle (heating, cooling) and magnetic field.