Microstructure and Piezoelectric Properties of 0.97(Na, K, Li)(Nb, Sb, Ta)O3-0.03(Bi, Na, Sr)ZrO3 Ceramics Doped with Boron Oxide for Piezoelectric Actuator

In this study, with the motivation of developing low temperature sintered Pb-free ceramics for use in piezoelectric actuators, 0.97(Na0.52K0.443Li0.037)(Nb0.923Sb0.04Ta0.037)O₃ - 0.03 (Bi0.5Na0.5)0.9 (Sr)0.1ZrO₃ ceramics were manufactured and their piezoelectric properties analyzed. All specimens doped with boron oxide showed a typical pure perovskite structure. The ceramics with x = 0.1 composition showed a co-existence of R-T phases. When boron oxide is doped at 0.1 wt%, excellent physical properties of d33 = 270 pC/N er = 1386, kp = 0.416, and Qm = 130 were obtained making the ceramic ideal for use in piezoelectric actuators.