Electrical properties of (1−x)(Bi{sub 0.5}Na{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3}–xKNbO{sub 3} lead-free ceramics

In this investigation, a simple compound (1−x)(Bi{sub 0.5}Na{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3}–xKNbO{sub 3} (BNT–xKN, x=0–0.08) lead-free ceramics were synthesized successfully by conventional solid state reaction method. The piezoelectric, dielectric and ferroelectric characteristics of the ceramics were investigated and discussed. The results shows that moderate KN addition can enhance the piezoelectric response without an obvious decline of ferroelectric properties. The largest piezoelectric response is obtained in BNT–0.05KN, whereas largest electric-field-induced strain is obtained in BNT–0.06KN. An effective d{sub 33}{sup eff} of ∼400 pC/N calculated from electric-field-induced strain is obtained in BNT–0.06KN. The present investigation demonstrates that addition KN effectively reduces the depolarization temperature of the BNT–xKN ceramics. The electrical properties of the ceramics are tightly related to their depolarization temperature. - Graphical abstract: Unipolar electric-field-induced strain for the BNT–xKN ceramics. A maximum strain of 0.28% is achieved with a low field in BNT–0.06KN. - Highlights: • Moderate KNbO{sub 3} addition enhances the piezoelectric properties of the ceramics. • A maximum strain of 0.28% is achieved with a low field. • A large piezoelectric response is achieved in 0.95(Bi{sub 0.5}Na{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3}–0.05KNbO{sub 3}. • The electrical properties are tightly related to the depolarization temperature T{sub d}.