Technology and electrophysical properties of the (K _0.44 Na _0.52 Li _0.04 )(Nb _{0.9– x} Ta _0.1 Sb _x )O ₃ ceramics

Compounds based on (KzNa1–z)NbO3 (KNN) are promising lead-free ferroelectric materials that reveal good electrophysical properties. In the present work, we report the results of the study influence of the doping effect of antimony on the technology, microstructure and electrophysical properties of potassium sodium niobate ceramics modified by lithium and tantalum ions (K0.44Na0.52Li0.04)(Nb0.9–xTa0.1Sbx)O3 (KNLNTSbx). The four KNLNTSbx ceramic compositions were designed: (K0.44Na0.52Li0.04)(Nb0.9Ta0.1)O3 (for xSb = 0),(K0.44Na0.52Li0.04)(Nb0.88Ta0.1Sb0.02)O3 (for xSb = 0.02),(K0.44Na0.52Li0.04) (Nb0.87Ta0.1Sb0.03)O3 (for xSb = 0.03),(K0.44Na0.52Li0.04) (Nb0.86Ta0.1Sb0.04)O3 (for xSb = 0.04).All ceramic powders were synthesised by the standard solid-state reaction method from the mixture of oxides and carbonates. The paper presents the technology and results of crystal structure, microstructural, dielectric properties, as well as DC electrical conductivity of the KNLNTSbx ceramics. The conducted research proved that suitable doping of the KNN materials improves the sinterability of the ceramic compositions and positively influences the useful electrophysical properties thereof.