Improved piezoelectric properties of Ag doped 0.94(K0.5–βNa0.5–δ)NbO3–0.06Li1–γNbO3 ceramics by templated grain growth method

In this work, Ag doped 0.94(K0.5–βNa0.5–δ)NbO3–0.06Li1–γNbO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics have been prepared by templated grain growth (TGG) using cubic (K,Na)NbO3 single crystal seeds as templates. Specimens were prepared by the conventional mixed method and sintered in controlled atmosphere. TGG method was well known, because that this method can improve piezoelectric properties by increasing the grain size during the sintering process. Sintering caused densification and grain growth of ceramics by the expense of matrix particles. Densification prior to grain growth was found to be necessary to obtain highly textured ceramics. Crystalline properties were analyzed by the XRD method. The effects of TGG on phase structure, microstructure, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of Ag doped 0.94(K0.5–βNa0.5–δ)NbO3–0.06Li1–γNbO3 ceramics were investigated.