Structure and Physical Properties of ZnO-Doped KNLN Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics

Abstract

The ZnO-doped 0.96(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–0.04LiNbO3 (KNLN) piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by conventional ceramics process, using oxides and carbonates mixture, sintered in the solid state at 1050°C. Effect of ZnO on structure and dielectric, ferroelectric, piezoelectric properties of KNLN ceramics were studied. The experimental results showed that the ZnO-doped KNLN ceramics have the pure perovskite structure with orthorhombic symmetry at x  0.5 wt.% ZnO. The ZnO addition significantly improved the electrical properties of KNLN ceramics. At ZnO content of 0.5 wt.%, the electrical properties of ceramics are the best: kp=0.35, kt=0.45, d31=52pC/N, Qm=33, Pr=8.0 C/cm2.