Effect of Processing Parameters of KNbO₃ Powder Prepared from Aqueous Solution of Layered Perovskite

Abstract

Preparation of KNbO₃ powder from aqueous solution of layered perovskite K₂NbO₃F has been investigated. The prepared powders showed a pseudo-cubic KNbO₃ structure, and need heat treatment at 1000°C to convert in the crystal structure to orthorhombic ferroelectrics. In this paper, we report a modified processing for the preparation of a better organized orthorhombic KNbO₃ powders by firing at lower temperature of 800°C by the introduction of Pechini method.

Keywords:

• Lead-free piezoelectrics
• KNbO₃ powder
• aqueous solution
• Pechini method

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research for the Encouragement of Young Scientists (B) (No. 17760544) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and by research grants from the Kazuchika Okura Memorial Foundation (2005), the Research Foundation for the Electrotechnology of Chubu (2006), and from the NITECH 21st Century COE Program “World Ceramics Center for Environmental Harmony”.