Ceramics with formula (1 - x)Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3-x(Bi3.25La0.75)Ti3O12 (when x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.0) were prepared by a solid-state mixed-oxide method and sintered at 1150 degrees C for 4 h. All samples had densities at least 95% of theoretical values. Phase analysis using X-ray diffraction indicated the existence of BLT - as well as PZT - based solid solutions with corresponding lattice distortion. Scanning electron micrographs of ceramic surfaces showed a plate-like structure in BLT-rich phase while the typical grain structure was observed for PZT-rich phase. Ferroelectric measurements of these samples showed that addition of small amounts of BLT into PZT increased coercive field and remanent polarization to about 18 kV/cm and 12.5 mu C/cm(2), respectively. Further increasing the amount of BLT in PZT degraded the ferroelectric properties of the ceramics. This behavior was in agreement with their microstructures and dielectric properties. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.