Abstract
(K,Na)NbO3 (KNN)-based ceramics have been proven to be formidable candidates among lead-free piezoelectric materials, yet poor reproducibility always hinders their progress. In the present study, the effects of low lithium substitution on the electrical properties and microstructure of (K0.5Na0.5)1-xLixNbO3 (KNLN) ceramics were investigated. All samples were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The Curie temperature (TC) of the ceramics shifted to higher temperature and gradually decreased the monoclinic-tetragonal (TM-T) phase transition. Li+ substitution had a prominent effect on the ferroelectric properties and improved the piezoelectric coefficient (d33) up to 181 pC/N. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) studies and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) images revealed an inevitable tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) secondary phase, which was formed during the preparation process. It was demonstrated that the volatilization of Li+ cations facilitated TTB growth. The coexistence of two different phase structures proved to enhance the KNN piezoelectric performance.
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