Phase structure and piezoelectric properties of (1− x )K0.48Na0.52Nb0.95Sb0.05O3- x (Bi0.5Na0.5)0.9(Li0.5Ce0.5)0.1ZrO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

(1−x)K0.48Na0.52Nb0.95Sb0.05O3-x(Bi0.5Na0.5)0.9(Li0.5Ce0.5)0.1ZrO3 [(1−x)KNNS-xBNLCZ] lead-free piezoceramics were prepared by the conventional solid state sintering method. The effects of BNLCZ contents on their phase structure, microstructure, and piezoelectric properties were investigated. All the samples show a pure perovskite structure, and no secondary phases were formed in the detected range. The rhombohedral and tetragonal phases of (1−x)KNNS-xBNLCZ coexist in the composition range of 0.0325 ≤ x ≤ 0.0425 at room temperature. A remarkably strong piezoelectricity was obtained by the addition of appropriate BNLCZ contents. The excellent piezoelectric properties of the ceramics with x = 0.04 were obtained: d33 ∼ 485 pC/N, kp ∼ 48%, and TC ∼ 227 °C. All the results show that the introduction of (Bi0.5Na0.5)0.9(Li0.5Ce0.5)0.1ZrO3 is a very effective way to form the rhombohedral and tetragonal phase coexistence of potassium-sodium niobate-based ceramics, which can improve its piezoelectric properties.