Structural and electrical characterization of (K0.48Na0.52)0.96Li0.04Nb0.85Ta0.15O3 synthesized by spray drying

The synthesis of lead-free ferroelectric materials with composition (K0.48Na0.52)0.96Li0.04Nb0.85Ta0.15O3 has been achieved by spray drying technique. Pure perovskite phase was obtained after calcination of as-prepared powders at 800 °C for 1 h. Crystallized powders have a particle size average of 100 nm. Well sintered samples were obtained at 1120 and 1130 °C for 2 h in air with densities of 4.58 and 4.49 g/cm3, respectively. We attributed this improvement as the result of sintering process and the very small particle size in powders. Sintered samples have promising piezoelectric parameters, kp 0.40–0.41, d31 50–55 pC/N and dielectric losses around 1%.