The Piezoelectric Properties of (Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-K4CuNb8O23 Ceramics with Various K4CuNb8O23 Doping and Sintering Temperatures

(1-X) $(Na_{0.5}K_{0.5})NbO_3-X$ $K_4CuNb_8O_{23}$ (NKN-X KCN) ceramics were produced using the conventional solid state sintering method, and their sinterability and electric properties were investigated. The density, dielectric constant (${\varepsilon}_r$), piezoelectric constant $d_{33}$, electromechanical coupling factor $k_p$ and mechanical quality factor $Q_m$ value of the NKN ceramics depended upon the KCN content and the sintering temperature. In particular, the KCN addition to the NKN greatly improved the mechanical quality factor $Q_m$ value. The ceramic with X = 2.0 mol% sintered at $1,150^{\circ}C$ possesses the optimum properties (${\varepsilon}_r=241$, $d_{33}=78$, $k_p=0.34$ and $Q_m=1,121$). These results indicate that the ceramic is a promising candidate material for applications in lead free piezoelectric transformer and filter materials.