Effect of addition of V2O5 on the densification, dielectric and ferroelectric behavior of lead free potassium sodium niobate ceramics

Potassium sodium niobate (KNN) ceramics were prepared by solid state synthesis followed by liquid phase sintering using V2O5 as a sintering aid. Sintering at 1120 oC for 4hours using V2O5 caused significant improvement in relative density with maximum relative density reaching to more than 94%. Dense polycrystalline ceramics having grain size about 2 mu m were obtained as a result of liquid phase sintering. Gradual improvement in dielectric constant was observed with increase in V2O5 content coupled with increase in electrical conductivity. Maximum remnant polarization of 18 mu C/cm(2) was recorded for ceramic sintered with 5 wt% V2O5.