Enhanced piezoelectric properties of (K0.40Na0.60)0.94Li0.06Nb0.94SbO3 lead-free ceramics by optimizing the sintering temperature

Abstract Effects of sintering temperature on the microstructure and electrical properties of (K 0.40 Na 0.60 ) 0.94 Li 0.06 Nb 0.94 SbO 3 (KNLNS) lead-free ceramics are investigated. The grain size gradually becomes larger with increasing sintering temperature from 1055 °C to 1105 °C, and the piezoelectric property could be enhanced by optimizing their sintering temperature. The ceramic sintered at 1075 °C has optimum electrical properties, i.e., d 33 ~272 pC/N, k p ~43.5%, e r ~1152, tan  δ~ 0.026, and T C ~346 °C. These results show that the sintering temperature can optimize electrical properties of KNLNS ceramics.