Effect of cerium additives on structure and electrical properties of Aurivillius oxides (K0.16Na0.84)0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15

• Cerium modified KNBT ceramics were synthesized using the solid-state process.
• The d33 and ρ of KNBT ceramic were improved by cerium additives.
• The tan δ at high temperature of KNBT ceramic was suppressed by cerium additive.
• The d33 and Tc of KNBT-Ce50 ceramic were 28 pC/N and 656 °C, respectively.

The effect of cerium additive on structure and electric properties of Aurivillius oxide (K0.16Na0.84)0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15 (KNBT), was investigated. Phase analysis was performed by X-ray diffraction analyses (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Morphologies were assessed by the scanning electron microscopy. Piezoelectric properties of the KNBT ceramic were improved by the modification of cerium ions. Dielectric loss at high temperature of the KNBT ceramic was also suppressed because of the cerium ions introduced. Piezoelectric coefficient (d33) and Curie temperature (Tc) of KNBT ceramic modified with 0.50 wt% cerium were 28 pC/N and 656 °C, respectively, together with higher resistivity (higher than 107 Ω cm at 550 °C). Moreover, reasons for the improvement of electric properties of the KNBT ceramic modified by cerium were also discussed.