Dielectric properties of Ag-doped 0.94(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-0.06LiNbO(3) ceramics prepared by templated grain growth

Abstract

We have investigated the relaxation mechanism and dielectric properties of Ag-doped 0.94(K0.5Na0.5) NbO3-0.06LiNbO(3) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics prepared by the templated grain growth method using cubic (K,Na)NbO3 single crystal seeds as templates. Specimens were prepared by the conventional mixed oxide method and sintered in a controlled atmosphere. Since the templated grain growth method can increase the grain size by introducing the templates, the dielectric properties of the ceramics were improved. Various dielectric experiments were carried out to obtain information about the possible relaxation behavior and activation energies of the ceramics. Cole-Cole plots were made to investigate the relaxation mechanisms of the grains and grain boundaries in Ag-doped 0.94(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-0.06LiNbO(3) ceramics. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.