A study of effects of sintering on the piezoelectric properties of 0.97(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-0.03(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 lead-free ceramics

As a candidate for a lead free-piezoelectric material, the 0.97(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-0.03(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 ceramic was prepared by using the conventional mixed-oxide method. 0.97(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-0.03(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 ceramics were investigated to determine the effect of the sintering temperature. The crystal structures of 0.97(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-0.03(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were examined by varying the sintering temperatures from 1080 A degrees C to 1160 A degrees C and employing an X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy measurements. The effects of the sintering temperature on the microstructure, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties were systematically investigated. The dielectric and the electrical properties of the 0.97(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-0.03(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 ceramics were measured at frequency from 1 kHz to 100 kHz and at various sintering temperatures. We expect optimized sintering characteristics to improve the piezoelectric and the ferroelectric properties of 0.97(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-0.03(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 ceramics.