Structural and Piezoelectric Properties of (1-x)(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-xBa(Ti0.9Sn0.1)O-3 Lead-Free Ceramics

Abstract

Lead-free (1 - x)(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-xBa(Ti0.9Sn0.1)O-3 ceramics doped with 1 mol% MnO2 [(1 - x)NKN-xBTS] were prepared by the conventional solid state method and their structural and piezoelectric properties were investigated. The (1 - x)NKN-xBTS ceramics were well synthesized and a dense microstructure was achieved when sintered at 1050 degrees C for 8 h. The phase transition temperature of the tetragonal-cubic (T-C) peaks became broadened with increasing x, suggesting that a diffuse phase transition was induced and that the ceramic was changed gradually from a normal ferroelectric to a relaxor ferroelectric. The significantly enhanced piezoelectric properties of d(33) = 256 and k(p) = 42% were obtained for the 0.94NKN-0.06BTS ceramics. (C) 2010 The Japan Society of Applied Physics