Dielectric and Piezoelectric Properties of Lead-Free (Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-Bi0.5(Na0.85K0.15)0.5TiO3 Ceramics

Extending the investigations on (Na(0.5)K(0.5))NbO(3)-based solid solution for lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, this paper consider the complex solid-solution system (Na(0.5)K(0.5))NbO(3)-Bi(0.5)(Na(0.85)K(0.15))(0.5)TiO(3) [NKN-BNKT]. (Na(0.5)K(0.5))NbO(3) with 2 similar to 6 mol% Bi(0.5)(Na(0.85)K(0.15))(0.5)TiO(3) has been prepared following the conventional mixed oxide process. A morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between orthorhombic (O) and hexagonal (H) was found at the composition 0.96NKN-0.04BNKT with correspondingly enhanced dielectric and piezoelectric properties. The electromechanical coupling factor and dielectric constant are higher for compositions near the MPB. The dielectric constant (K(33)(T)), planar coupling coefficient (k(p)) and thickness coupling coefficient (k(t))of 0.96NKN-0.04BNKT ceramics were 1273, 34% and 38%, respectively.