(1 - x)[0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3-0.3Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3]-xBa(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O-3 of which x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1 ceramics were studied by a composite powder method and using a two-step sintering process. The morphology showed that the largest grain size was about 1.866 mu m at x = 0.1, and the largest grain size of 3.81 mu m at x = 0.05. The 0.7PMN-0.3PZT showed a decreased dielectric constant, posed dispersive phase transition and indicated relaxor ferroelectric when modified by BZN contents. The polarization from hysteresis loop measurements showed that saturated polarization, remnant polarization and coercive field decreased with increasing BZN. Increasing BZN not only exhibits electrostrictive behaviors with linear hysteresis loop shape but it is also a good candidate for lower power energy application. The largest strain of 0.122% was found at x = 0.025. These results clearly demonstrated the significance of the 0.7PMN-0.3PZT system activated by BZN. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.