Effects of sintering temperature on properties of Na0.5K0.5NbO3-LiSbO3-BiFeO3 lead free ceramics

Lead free 0.95K(0.5)Na(0.5)NbO(3)-0.05LiSbO(3) (KNN-LS) ceramics doped with 0.4 mol.-% BiFeO3 (BF) have been prepared by the conventional mixed oxide method with sintering temperature at 1065-1135 degrees C in this paper. The samples are characterised by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric and piezoelectric properties are also investigated. The results present that initially the increase in the sintering temperature is very effective in improving the density and electric properties. However, the properties of the samples would be deteriorated as they are sintered over the optimum temperature. The KNN-LS (doped with 0.4%BF) ceramics shows excellent properties with sintering temperature at 1100 degrees C.