Characterization of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 powders and ceramics prepared by a novel hybrid method of sol–gel and ultrasonic atomization

(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 powders and ceramics were prepared by a novel hybrid method of sol–gel and ultrasonic atomization, in which Nb2O5 was used as the niobium source to replace those expensive soluble niobium salts. X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis were performed to investigate the synthesis process and phase transformation behavior of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 powders. The results showed that (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 powders with a reasonably fine particle size and single-phase perovskite structure were formed at a temperature as low as 650 °C. Dense (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 ceramics with a relative density of 93% were obtained using the refined powders. The (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 ceramics prepared by the novel hybrid method exhibited relatively good properties (d33 = 90 pC/N, kp = 0.32, Pr = 20.6 μC/cm2, Tc = 405 °C, εr = 712), suggesting that this novel hybrid method might be a promising method for the powders and ceramics preparation.