Compositional dependence of phase structure and electrical properties in (K0.50Na0.50)0.97Bi0.01(Nb1−xZrx)O3 lead-free ceramics

(K0.50Na0.50)0.97Bi0.01(Nb1-xZrx)O3 (KNBNZ) lead-free ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state sintering process. Their phase structure is dependent on the Zr content in the investigated range, and the ceramics endure a phase transition from pseudocubic to orthorhombic with increasing Zr content. Improved piezoelectric properties have been observed when the poling temperature is located at ~100 °C because of the coexistence of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases. Their dielectric and piezoelectric properties were enhanced by doping Zr, the ceramic with x=0.02 showing optimal electrical properties, i.e., d33~161 pC/N, kp~0.41, Qm~81, Tc~370 °C, and To−t~130 °C. These results show that the KNBNZ ceramic is a promising lead-free piezoelectric material.