Research Development on (KxNa1-x)NbO3-Based Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics

Perovskite Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3 piezoelectric ceramics were widely used. However, these ceramics with lead element cause a serious environmental pollution. In recent years, some countries have required all new electronic products to be lead-free for the environmental protection and human health. As a result, it is necessary to rapidly develop the lead-free piezoelectric ceramics with excellent properties to replace the lead-based ceramics. Over the past few years, considerable attention for the lead-free piezoelectric ceramics has been given to (KxNa1-x)NbO3 (KNN)-based piezoelectric ceramics for their good electrical and environmentally friendly properties. This review will cover patent and paper progress in the field of KNN-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics achieved during the past few years. Current researches and achievements fully indicated that the KNN-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics can be commercially produced in the near future.