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Influence of K/Na ratio on phase structure and electrical properties of 0.96 (K x Na1−x ) NbO3-0.04 (Bi0.5Na0.5) ZrO3 lead-free ceramics

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Abstract

To investigate the influence of K/Na ratio on the phase structure and electrical properties, 0.96 (K x Na1−x ) NbO3-0.04 (Bi0.5Na0.5) ZrO3 lead-free piezoceramics with x = 0.35 ~ 0.60 were prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction method. The results indicate that a typical phase boundary of orthorhombic-tetragonal (O-T) exists at x = 0.39–0.55 by refining the K/Na ratio. The grain size of the ceramics becomes much larger as the K/Na increases, and the chemical compositions well keep in the ceramic matrix. The ceramics with x = 0.39 show enhanced electrical properties (e.g., d 33 = 275 pC/N, k p = 34.5 %, T C = 330 °C,P r = 27.5 μC/cm2, and E C = 10.5 kV/cm). It is considered that the observed enhanced piezoelectricity should be ascribed to the phase coexistence of O and T phases of the ceramics.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the supports of National Science Foundation of China (NSFC Nos. 50772068, 50972095, 51272164, and 51332003) and Foundation of Doctor Training Program in University and College in China (20080610020). Thanks are also to Ms. Wang Hui for her help in the SEM measurement.

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  1. Department of Materials Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, People’s Republic of China

    Shasha Feng, Dingquan Xiao, Jiagang Wu, Fangxu Li, Min Xiao & Jianguo Zhu

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Correspondence to Dingquan Xiao.

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Feng, S., Xiao, D., Wu, J. et al. Influence of K/Na ratio on phase structure and electrical properties of 0.96 (K x Na1−x ) NbO3-0.04 (Bi0.5Na0.5) ZrO3 lead-free ceramics. J Electroceram 34, 142–149 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10832-014-9963-8

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