Effects of K4CuNb8O23 on phase structure and electrical properties of K0.5Na0.5NbO3–LiSbO3 lead-free piezoceramics

Dense K4CuNb8O23 (KCN) modified 0.948K0.5Na0.5NbO3–0.052LiSbO3 (KNNLS) ceramics were prepared by conventional solid state reaction method. The effect of addition of K4CuNb8O23 liquid phase sintering aid on the phase structure and electrical properties of ceramics was studied. Results showed that K4CuNb8O23 induced a perovskite structure transition from coexistence of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases to orthorhombic symmetry. The addition of K4CuNb8O23 promoted the sintering of KNNLS ceramics. In particular, the K4CuNb8O23 addition to the KNNLS greatly improved the mechanical quality factor Qm value. The ceramics with x=0.8 sintered at 1090 °C possess the optimum properties (Qm=192, d33=135 pC/N, tan δ=0.024 and kp=0.357). These results indicate that the ceramic is a promising candidate for lead-free high-power piezoelectric devices, such as piezoelectric actuators, transformers and filter materials.