Phase diagram and enhanced piezoelectricity in the strontium titanate doped potassium–sodium niobate solid solution

Abstract

Abstract The dielectric and the piezoelectric properties of the (1– x )(Na 0.5 K 0.5 )NbO 3 – x SrTiO 3 ceramics, densified by the Spark‐Plasma‐Sintering method, have been studied. A phase diagram was established from the temperature dependence of the dielectric constant. A tetragonal–orthorhombic morpho‐tropic phase boundary (MPB) was found at x ∼ 0.05. Around the MPB, piezoelectric properties were greatly improved. The origin for the enhanced piezoelectricity has been proposed. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)