Effect of KNbO₃ content on the crystal structure and electrical properties of (1 − x)PbZr_0.54Ti_0.46O_3-xKNbO₃ piezoelectric ceramics

(1 − x)PbZr_0.54Ti_0.46O_3-xKNbO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 25mol%) (abbreviated as PZT-xKN) piezoelectric ceramics were successfully fabricated by a traditional sintering technique at 1225℃ for 30 min. The influence of KNbO₃ content on the crystal structure and electrical properties of the PZT-xKN piezoelectric ceramics was studied. Samples with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20 show a pure perovskite structure, indicating that all KNbO₃ diffused into the crystal lattice of PZT to form a single solid solution in this compositional range. A second Pb₃Nb₄O₁₃ phase is observed in the PZT-0.25KN sample, showing that the maximum solid solubility of KNbO₃ in PZT matrix ceramic is less than 25mol%. Compared with pure PZT piezoelectric ceramics, samples containing KNbO₃ have smaller crystal grains. PZT-0.15KN exhibits excellent piezoelectric properties with d₃₃ = 209 pC/N.