Role of sintering time, crystalline phases and symmetry in the piezoelectric properties of lead-free KNN-modified ceramics

Abstract

Lead-free KNN-modified piezoceramics of the system (Li,Na,K)(Nb,Ta,Sb)O 3 were prepared by conventional solid-state sintering. The X-ray diffraction patterns revealed a perovskite phase, together with some minor secondary phase, which was assigned to K 3LiNb 6O 17, tetragonal tungsten–bronze (TTB). A structural evolution toward a pure tetragonal structure with the increasing sintering time was observed, associated with the decrease of TTB phase. A correlation between higher tetragonality and higher piezoelectric response was clearly evidenced. Contrary to the case of the LiTaO 3 modified KNN, very large abnormal grains with TTB structure were not detected. As a consequence, the simultaneous modification by tantalum and antimony seems to induce during sintering a different behaviour from the one of LiTaO 3 modified KNN.