Flash sintering of potassium-sodium niobate-based piezoceramics: Refining (micro)structure for properties enhancement

Low-consumption ceramics processing routes are expected to replace conventional ones due to environmental concerns. In this context, flash sintering is garnering interest because it allows dense ceramics to be obtained in just a few minutes and at relatively low temperatures. This is particularly in...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: López-Blanco, Samuel, Rubio Marcos, Fernando, Barrón, Andrea, Ochoa, Diego A., García, José E.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/380563
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/380563
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85187559392&doi=10.1016%2fj.jeurceramsoc.2024.03.021&partnerID=40&md5=ed8ace10cd2488bd1b521f8cdc149f3b
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Flash sintering
KNN-based ceramics
Lead-free piezoelectrics
Piezoceramics
Descripción
Sumario:Low-consumption ceramics processing routes are expected to replace conventional ones due to environmental concerns. In this context, flash sintering is garnering interest because it allows dense ceramics to be obtained in just a few minutes and at relatively low temperatures. This is particularly interesting for sintering alkaline-based compounds due to the easy volatilization of these elements. In this work, current-controlled flash sintering is used to obtain potassium-sodium niobate (KNN)-based piezoceramics with refined microstructure and suitable stoichiometry, leading to improved functional properties. KNN-based materials are currently outstanding lead-free piezoceramics, with their properties highly sensitive to the proper construction of the polymorphic phase boundary, as in the case of the first promising composition (K0.44Na0.52Li0.04)(Nb0.86Ta0.10Sb0.04)O3. Results of this work show that sintering parameters may determine the polymorphic behavior of this system, thereby evincing flash sintering allows polymorphic phase boundary to be fine-tuned. It is demonstrated that the convergence of microstructure refinement and compositional control holds the potential for enhancing properties through a proper electric current control during flash sintering. © 2024 The Authors