Characterization of lead free (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-LiSbO3 piezoceramic

(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN) based lead free ceramics have been fabricated by a solid state reaction. In this work, LiSbO3 (LS) modified KNN based ceramics were sintered at atmospheric pressure and high density (>96% theoretical) was obtained. The detailed elastic, dielectric, piezoelectric and electromechanical properties were characterized by using the resonance technique combined with the ultrasonic method. The full set of material constants for the obtained polycrystalline ceramics were determined and compared to the pure hot pressed KNN counterpart. KNN-LS polycrystalline ceramic was found to have higher elastic compliance, dielectric permittivity and piezoelectric strain coefficients, but lower mechanical quality factor, when compared to pure KNN, exhibiting a "softening" behavior. However, a high coercive field (similar to 17 kV/cm) was found for the LS modified KNN material. The properties as a function of temperature were determined in the range of -50-250 degrees C, showing a polymorphic phase transition near room temperature, giving rise to improved piezoelectric behavior. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.