Effect of Synthesis and Sintering Temperatures on K0.5Na0.5NbO3 Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics By Microwave Heating
Abstract Powders of K0.5Na0.5NbO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were successfully synthesized via conventional and microwave-assisted heating. A single-mode microwave equipment was used to perform the synthesis following the mixed oxide route and then sintering at different temperatures. The synthesized powders obtained and then sintered by microwave and conventional methods were evaluated by thermogravimetry analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Microwave synthesis processing for 10 minutes at 650 ºC using a heating rate of 30 ºC/min promotes the formation of 2 K0.5Na0.5NbO3 nanoparticles. Perovskite structure formed during calcination shows the coexistence of tetragonal-orthorhombic geometry according to XRD patterns. The microwave-obtained particles are consistent with the theoretical stoichiometry. Particle size increases as the reaction temperature is increased from 650 ºC to 800 ºC. An intermediate phase (K,Na)2Nb4O11 is formed in the entire range of synthesis temperatures studied. The samples obtained by microwave sintering show a structure similar to the samples sintered by the conventional method. However, the porosity observed in the microstructure of the microwave-sintered piezoelectric materials affects the density of the material, and these defects cause a decrease in the dielectric values.