Wide phase boundary zone, piezoelectric properties, and stability in 0.97(K0.4Na0.6)(Nb1-xSbx)O3-0.03Bi0.5Li0.5ZrO3 lead-free ceramics.

In this work, the rhombohedral (R) and tetragonal (T) phase boundary of the 0.97(K0.4Na0.6)(Nb1-xSbx)O3-0.03Bi0.5Li0.5ZrO3 piezoceramics has been attained in a wide composition range of 0.035 ≤ x ≤ 0.08, and the Sb(5+) could simultaneously shrink its TR-O and TO-T. A giant d33 of 380-405 pC N(-1) and a TC of 200-292 °C have been observed in the ceramics with the coexistence of both R and T phases. In addition, the ceramics with 0.035 ≤ x ≤ 0.08 also show a good thermal stability of the d33, and an enhanced temperature stability of ferroelectricity could be observed in the ceramic with x = 0.035. As a result, adding the optimum antimony content is an efficient way to promote the electrical properties of potassium-sodium niobate ceramics with the R-T phase boundary.