Enhanced piezoelectric properties of (K0.40Na0.60)0.94Li0.06Nb0.94SbO3 lead-free ceramics by optimizing the sintering temperature

Effects of sintering temperature on the microstructure and electrical properties of (K0.40Na0.60)0.94Li0.06Nb0.94SbO3 (KNLNS) lead-free ceramics are investigated. The grain size gradually becomes larger with increasing sintering temperature from 1055 °C to 1105 °C, and the piezoelectric property could be enhanced by optimizing their sintering temperature. The ceramic sintered at 1075 °C has optimum electrical properties, i.e., d33~272 pC/N, kp~43.5%, εr~1152, tan δ~0.026, and TC~346 °C. These results show that the sintering temperature can optimize electrical properties of KNLNS ceramics.