Excellent sintering ability of Bi(Mn_2/3Sb_1/3)O₃-added (Bi_1/2K_1/2)TiO₃ lead-free piezoceramics with high density and low dielectric loss

Abstract

By adding 1.5 mol.% Bi(Mn_2/3Sb_1/3)O₃ (BMS), (Bi_1/2K_1/2)TiO₃ (BKT) ceramics show an excellent sintering ability in conventional oxide sintering process. In a wide temperature range from 1020–1050°C, the 0.985BKT–0.015BMS (BKMS) ceramics demonstrate a super-high relative density of 98% and low dielectric loss tan δ of 0.017. Even though the temperature reaches to 1060°C, BKMS ceramics maintain high relative density over 95% other than being collapsed as the pure BKT did. Besides, the BKMS ceramics sintered at 1020 to 1050°C present adequately high electrical properties. The enhanced sintering ability of BKMS ceramics is attributed to the increased viscosity of liquid induced by Sb⁵⁺ solving in the liquid phase during sintering. The work provides a way to realize the densification of BKT ceramics.