Enhanced Piezoelectric Properties and Thermal Stability in the (K sub(0.5)Na sub(0.5))NbO sub(3):ZnO Lead-Free Piezoelectric Composites

• Published in: Journal of the American Ceramic Society Vol. 98; no. 12; pp. 3935 - 3941
• Main Authors: Pan, Zhao, Chen, Jun, Fan, Longlong, Zhang, Ji, Zhang, Shantao, Huang, Yu, Liu, Laijun, Fang, Liang, Xing, Xianran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2015
• Subjects: Curie temperature; Forming; Lead free; Nanoparticles; Piezoelectricity; Solid solutions; Thermal stability; Zinc oxide
• ISSN: 0002-7820; 1551-2916
• DOI: 10.1111/jace.13831

The piezoelectric properties of (K sub(0.5)Na sub(0.5))NbO sub(3) (KNN) are normally enhanced by chemical substitutions or doping to form solid solutions. In this study, we report that the piezoelectric properties of KNN and thermal stability of piezoelectric coefficient d sub(33) can be both enhanced by forming the composite of KNN:ZnO. The d sub(33) of KNN:0.2ZnO can be improved to 110 pC/N by introducing the ZnO nanoparticles, which is better than the pure KNN (d sub(33) = 85 pC/N). The Curie temperature (T sub(C) = 407 degree C) remains well comparable to the pure KNN (T sub(C) = 408 degree C). Furthermore, the thermal stability of both remanent polarization (P sub(r)) and piezoelectric parameter (d sub(33)) is improved. The enhanced thermal stability could be related to the induced built-in electric field or the enhanced sinterability by the addition of ZnO. The present results may help to optimize the piezoelectric properties of lead-free materials by forming composite.