Fabrication of Sodium Potassium Niobate Ceramics by Two Step Sintering Assisted Molten Salts Synthesis

Potassium sodium niobate (KNN) powders were synthesized by a molten salt synthesis. The pure phase KNN was achieved for a calcination temperature of 500 degrees C which is lower than the conventional technique by 400 degrees C. The KNN ceramics were then fabricated by a two steps sintering technique. Effects of dwell time at T-2 on the properties of the ceramics were investigated. Although there was unchanged in microstructure, the dielectric results indicate that a longer dwell time produced a higher value of peak dielectric constant. However, the 8h sample exhibited the densest ceramic and showed a better ferroelectric performance.