The present disclosure relates to a precursor solution for the preparation of a ceramic of the BZT-αBXT type, where X is selected from Ca, Sn, Mn, and Nb, and α is a molar fraction selected in the range between 0.10 and 0.90, said solution comprising: 1) at least one barium precursor compound; 2) a precursor compound selected from the group consisting of at least one calcium compound, at least one tin compound, at least one manganese compound, and at least one niobium compound; 3) at least one anhydrous precursor compound of zirconium; 4) at least one anhydrous precursor compound of titanium; 5) a solvent selected from the group consisting of a polyol and mixtures of a polyol and a secondary solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, ketones, ethers, and mixtures thereof; and 6) a chelating agent, as well as method of using the same.