Effects of Li2CO3 on the sintering behavior and piezoelectric properties of Bi2O3-excess (Bi0.5Na0.5)0.94Ba0.06TiO3 ceramics

(Bi0.5Na0.5)0.94Ba0.06TiO3 ceramics doped with Li2CO3 and Bi2O3 as sintering aids were manufactured, and their micro structural, dielectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated. All specimens could be well sintered at a low-temperature of 1080 °C. The bulk density of the specimens doped with a small amount of Li2CO3 was enhanced. The dielectric and piezoelectric properties of ceramics were investigated with different amounts of Li2CO3 substitutions. High electrical properties of d33 = 167 pC/N, kp = 0.34, Pr = 40 μC/cm2 and Ec = 38 kV/cm were obtained from the specimen containing 0.1 mol% of Li2CO3 sintered at 1080 °C.

► Li2CO3 doped 0.94(Bi, Na)0.5TiO3-0.06BaTiO3 ceramics were synthesized.
► The proper amount of Li2CO3 was effectively decreased the sintering temperature from 1200 °C to 1080 °C.
► The bulk density of the ceramics was enhanced by doping a small amount of Li2CO3.
► High electrical properties of d33 = 167 pC/N, kp = 0.34 and Pr = 40 mC/cm2 were obtained for the ceramics sintered at 1080 °C.