Ca²⁺ doping effects in (K, Na, Li)(Nb_0.8Ta_0.2)O₃ lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Abstract

Lead-free (K_0.5−x/2Na_0.5−x/2Li_x)(Nb_0.8Ta_0.2)O₃ (KNLNT) and (K_0.49−x/2Na_0.49−x/2- Li_xCa_0.01)(Nb_0.8Ta_0.2)O₃ (KNLNT-Ca) ceramics were prepared by a conventional ceramic processing. Structural analysis shows that the Ca²⁺ doping takes the A site of ABO₃ perovskite and decreases the phase transition temperature. Property measurements reveal that as a donor dopant, the Ca²⁺ doping results in higher room-temperature dielectric constant, lower dielectric loss, and lower mechanical quality factor. In addition, the Ca²⁺ doping does not change the positive piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃, but increases the converse piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃^* significantly. This is likely due to the increase in the relaxation, as well as the appearance of (Ca_Na/K^•--V_Na/K′) defect dipoles.

Keywords

lead-free piezoelectric / KNN / converse piezoelectric coefficient / donor dopant / piezoelectric property / polymorphic phase transition

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