In this paper, we have investigated the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of Ba(Zr0.04Ti0.96)O-3 and CuO-Ba(Zr0.04Ti0.96)O-3 ceramics prepared by the conventional solid solution method. Ba(Zr0.04Ti0.94)O-3 ceramics were sintered at 1400,1450, and 1500 degrees C to optimize the sintering temperature of pure BZT.BZT ceramics with 1 mol% of CuO added were sintered at 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, and 1500 degrees C. It was found that the optimal sintering temperature was decreased by 50 degrees C, while the piezoelectric properties were enhanced, compared to those of pure BZT ceramics. The ceramics showed excellent piezoelectric properties with d(33) 302 pC/N and ferroelectric properties with dielectric constant 2135. The piezoelectric CuO-BZT ceramics were investigated according to the change of sintering temperature by considering the microstructure and the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties compared with those of pure BZT. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.