(0.89 - x)(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-0.11(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-xBa(0.85)Ca(0.15)Ti(0.90)Zr(0.10)O(3) (BNT-BKT-BCTZx) ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state method. The dependence of BCTZ content on the microstructure and electrical properties of BNT-BKT-BCTZx ceramics is investigated. The BCTZ diffuses into the BNT-BKT lattice to form a stable solid solution, and a coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phase is observed in these ceramics with the composition of 0.04 <= x <= 0.08. An enhanced piezoelectric behavior of d(33) similar to 198 pC/N and k(p) similar to 25.4% is demonstrated in the ceramic with x = 0.06. Moreover, the introduction of BCTZ also improves the remanent polarization and decreases the coercive field, and the improvement in ferroelectric properties of 2P(r) similar to 48.77 mu C/cm(2) and 2E(c) similar to 52.92 kV/cm is observed in such a ceramic with x = 0.06. As a result, the BNT-BKT-BCTZx ceramic is a promising candidate for lead-free piezoelectric materials. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.