From phase coexistence to ferroelectric enhancement: a comparative study of pressing techniques in K0.3Na0.7NbO3 ceramics
摘要
This study aims to investigate and compare the structural, microstructural, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties of lead-free sintered K0.3Na0.7NbO3 piezoceramics formed by cold-isostatic pressing (CIP) and single-axis pressing (SAP) methods. XRD data revealed the simultaneous presence of tetragonal (94%) and orthorhombic (6%) symmetries in the CIP sample, while the coexistence of monoclinic (74%) and orthorhombic (26%) crystal systems was observed in the SAP ceramic. Based on FESEM images, cube-shaped grains (~ 3.5 μm) were observed in the CIP sample with a relatively narrow distribution. Also, the SAP sample exhibited larger cuboid grains (~ 4.2 μm) with a broader distribution. Moreover, the dielectric constant of the CIP sample was about 30% larger than that of the SAP’s. In addition, the higher ferroelectric properties (saturation polarization (Ps) ~ 27.5 µC/cm2 and remnant polarization (Pr) ~ 22.9 µC/cm2) were obtained for the CIP sample in comparison to the SAP ceramic (Ps ~ 24.8 µC/cm2 and Pr ~ 20.2 µC/cm2).