Piezoelectric and Electrical Properties of Lead-Free (Na<sub>0.5</sub>K<sub>0.5</sub>)NbO<sub>3</sub>- Bi<sub>0.5</sub>(Na<sub>0.80</sub>K<sub>0.20</sub>)<sub>0.5</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub> Ceramics

Abstract

Extending the investigations on (Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-based solid solution for lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, this paper consider the complex solid-solution system (Na0.5K0.5)NbO3–Bi0.5(Na0.80K0.20)0.5TiO3[NKN-BNKT]. (Na0.5K0.5)NbO3with 2 ~ 6 mol% Bi0.5(Na0.80K0.20)0.5TiO3has been prepared following the conventional mixed oxide process. A morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between orthorhombic (O) and tetragonal (T) was found at the composition 0.97NKN-0.03BNKT with correspondingly enhanced dielectric and piezoelectric properties. The electromechanical coupling factor and dielectric constant are higher for compositions near the MPB. The dielectric constant (εr), planar coupling coefficient (kp) and thickness coupling coefficient (kt)of 0.97NKN-0.03BNKT ceramics were 1483, 32% and 31%, respectively.