Simultaneously enhanced piezoelectric response and piezoelectric voltage coefficient in textured KNN‐based ceramics

<001> ‐textured 0.99(K_0.49Na_0.49Li_0.02)(Nb_0.97‐xSb_0.03Ta_x)O₃‐0.01CaZrO₃ [abbreviated as 0.99KNLN_0.97‐xST_x‐0.01CZ, x = 0.03, 0.07, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25] ceramics were prepared by templated grain growth (TGG) method and a two‐step sintering process. Giant longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ (391 pC/N) and piezoelectric strain coefficient d₃₃* (630 pm/V under an AC E‐field of 20 kV/cm) can be obtained in the textured ceramics with x = 0.25. All textured ceramics display superior k_p (>54%) and g₃₃ (>23 × 10^?3 Vm/N) which are in an order of magnitude with PZT ceramics. The maximum value of k_p (~63.3%) obtained in textured ceramics with x = 0.15 is higher than that of famous textured LF4 ceramics. Excellent comprehensive properties suggest that <001> ‐textured 0.99KNLN_0.97‐xST_x‐0.01CZ ceramics are promising candidates in the field of lead‐free piezoelectric materials.     

Temperature stability and electrical properties in La‐doped KNN‐based ceramics

To improve the temperature stability and electrical properties of KNN‐based ceramics, we simultaneously consider the phase boundary and the addition of rare earth element (La), 0.96K_0.5Na_0.5Nb_0.96Sb_0.04O₃‐0.04(Bi_1‐xLa_x)_0.5Na_0.5ZrO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) ceramics. More specifically, we investigate how the phase boundary and the addition of La³⁺ affect the phase structure, electrical properties, and temperature stability of the ceramic. We show that increasing the La³⁺ content leads to a change in phase structure, from a rhombohedral‐tetragonal (R‐T) phase coexistence to a cubic phase. More importantly, we show that the appropriate addition of La³⁺ (x = 0.2) can simultaneously improve the unipolar strain (from 0.127% to 0.147%) and the temperature stability (i.e., the unipolar strain of 0.147% remains unchanged when T is increased from 25 to 80°C). In addition, we find that the ceramics with x = 0.2 exhibit a large piezoelectric constant (d₃₃) of ~430 pC/N, a high Curie temperature (T_C) of ~240°C and a fatigue‐free behavior (after 10⁶ electric cycles). The enhanced electrical properties mostly originate from the easy domain switching, whereas the improved temperature stability can be attributed to the R‐T phase boundary and the appropriate addition of La³⁺.     

Crystalline phase and electrical properties of lead‐free piezoelectric KNN‐based films with different orientations

Lead‐free piezoelectric 0.915K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃‐0.075BaZrO₃‐0.01Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃ (KNN‐BZ‐BNT) films were grown on Nb‐doped SrTiO₃ substrates with different orientations. The thin films show highly preferential orientations in accordance with the orientations of single crystalline substrates. The films all exhibit a weak contrast and remarkable homogeneity in the local static out‐of‐plane piezoresponse phase images, suggesting a strong self‐polarization. Combining with the analysis of XRD‐RSM, TEM and PFM, the crystalline phase of our samples was determined to be rhombohedral, which has the spontaneous polarization along [111] direction. Thus, the (100)‐oriented film demonstrates the most superior piezoelectric properties. Our detailed studies on structural and electrical properties of KNN‐BZ‐BNT films further clarify the structure‐property relationship and make a step closer to use this lead‐free material for many piezoelectric applications.     

Enhancing temperature stability in potassium-sodium niobate ceramics through phase boundary and composition design

Phase boundaries and composition design were explored to achieve both high piezoelectricity and favorable temperature stability in potassium-sodium niobate ceramics, using (1-x)(K,Na)(Nb,Sb)O₃-xBi(Na,K)(Zr,Sn,Hf)O₃ ceramics. A rhombohedral-tetragonal (R-T) phase boundary was constructed at x=0.035–0.04 by co-doping with Sb⁵⁺ and Bi(Na,K)(Zr,Sn,Hf)O₃. More importantly, a superior temperature stability was observed in the ceramics with x=0.035, accompanying with a stable unipolar strain at room temperature to 100 °C. The ceramics with x=0.035 also exhibited improved piezoelectric properties (e.g., piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃∼465 pC/N and electromechanical coupling factor k_p=0.47) and Curie temperature (T_c∼240 °C). The Rietveld refinement and in-situ temperature-dependent piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) results indicated that the enhancement of the piezoelectric properties was caused by the easy domain switching, high tetragonal fraction, and tetragonality, while the improved temperature stability mainly originated from the stable domain structures.     

Sharpening polycrystalline phase boundary for potassium sodium niobate ceramics with MnF2 modification

The influence of anion on structure and performance is unclear in potassium sodium niobate ((K,Na)NbO₃; KNN)-based ceramics, while cation doping has been widely researched. Here, the phase structure and electrical properties are explored in MnF₂-doped KNN ceramics. Significantly, sharp rhombohedral–orthorhombic (R–O) and orthorhombic–tetragonal (O–T) phase boundary as well as reduced diffusion degree is exhibited in the ceramics along with little changed phase transition temperatures due to the optimized F⁻ content at O site, which is different from that of cation replacement for A and B sites. Notably, the domain wall motion is facilitated due to the increased A vacancy and decreased O vacancy along with strengthened polarity, originating from the higher valence state and electronegativity of F⁻ with respect to O²⁻. And then, enhanced ferroelectricity is realized via MnF₂ modification, the piezoelectricity is elevated in turn. This work presents a new idea of anion doping for controlling structure and properties in perovskite materials.     

Temperature stability and electrical properties of MnO‐doped KNN‐based ceramics sintered in reducing atmosphere

Lead‐free MnO‐doped 0.955K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃‐0.045Bi_0.5Na_0.5ZrO₃ (abbreviate as KNN‐0.045BNZ) ceramics have been prepared by a conventional solid‐state sintering method in reducing atmosphere. The MnO addition can suppress the emergence of the liquid phase and improve the homogenization of grain size. All ceramics sintered in reducing atmosphere show a two‐phase coexistence zone composed of rhombohedral (R) and tetragonal (T) phase. MnO dopant results in the content increase in R phase and slight increase in Curie temperature T_C. For KNN‐0.045BNZ ceramics, Mn²⁺ ions preferentially occupy the cation vacancies in A‐site to decrease oxygen vacancy concentration for 0.2%‐0.4% MnO content, whereas Mn²⁺ ions substitute for Zr⁴⁺ ions in B‐site to form oxygen vacancies at x ≥ 0.5. The defect dipole is formed at the moderate concentration from 0.5 to 0.6, which can provide a preserve force to improve the temperature stability of piezoelectric properties for k_p and . The Mn0.4 ceramics show excellent electrical properties with quasistatic piezoelectric constant d₃₃ = 300 pC/N, electromechanical coupling coefficient k_p = 51.2%, high field piezoelectric constant  = 430 pm/V (at E_max = 25 kV/cm) and T_C = ~345°C, insulation resistivity ρ  =  6.13 × 10¹¹ Ωcm.     

Improving piezoelectric properties and temperature stability for KNN‐based ceramics sintered in a reducing atmosphere

Lead‐free 0.955K_0.5Na_0.5Nb_1‐zTa_zO₃‐0.045Bi_0.5Na_0.5ZrO₃+0.4%MnO ceramics (abbreviated as KNNTaz‐0.045BNZ+0.4Mn) were prepared by a conventional solid‐state sintering method in a reducing atmosphere (oxygen partial pressure of 1 × 10^?10 atm). All ceramics with a pure perovskite structure show the two‐phase coexistence zone composed of rhombohedral and tetragonal phase. Ta⁵⁺ ions substitute for Nb⁵⁺ ions on the B‐site, which results in a decrease in the R phase fraction in the two‐phase coexistence zone. The R‐T phase transition temperature moves to room temperature due to the substitution of Nb⁵⁺ ions by Ta⁵⁺ ions. A complex domain structure composed of small nano‐domains (~70 nm) formed inside large submicron domains (~200 nm) exists in KNNTa0.02‐0.045BNZ+0.4Mn ceramics, which can induce a strong dielectric‐diffused behavior and improve the piezoelectric properties. The temperature stability for the reverse piezoelectric constant for the KNNTaz‐0.045BNZ+0.4Mn ceramics can be improved at z = 0.02. Excellent piezoelectric properties (d₃₃ = 328 pC/N, and  = 475 pm/V at E_max = 20 kV/cm) were obtained for the KNNTa_0.02‐0.045BNZ+0.4Mn ceramics.     

Defect engineering on phase structure and temperature stability of KNN‐based ceramics sintered in different atmospheres

Lead‐free MnO‐doped 0.955K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃‐0.045Bi_0.5Na_0.5ZrO₃ (Abbreviated as KNN‐0.045BNZ) ceramics have been prepared by the conventional solid‐state sintering method in reducing atmosphere ( = 1 × 10^?10 atm) and air. For ceramics sintered in reducing atmosphere, only Mn²⁺ ions exist in ceramics who preferentially occupy the cation vacancies in A‐site at x = 0.2‐0.4, whereas Mn²⁺ ions substitute for Zr⁴⁺ ions in B‐site to form defects () at x > 0.4. For ceramics sintered in air, mixed Mn²⁺, Mn³⁺, and Mn⁴⁺ ions coexist here. The Mn²⁺ ions preferentially occupy the cation vacancies in A‐site at x = 0.2‐0.4 and then Mn²⁺ ions substitute for Zr⁴⁺ ions in B‐site at x > 0.4. Meanwhile, the Mn³⁺ ions and Mn⁴⁺ ions substitute for Nb⁵⁺ ions in B‐site to form defects () at x = 0.2‐0.8. The (, , and ) dipolar defects show a positive dipolar defect contribution (DDC) to the , whereas the dipolar defects () show a negative DDC to the . The dipolar defects ( ‐ and ) can help improve the temperature stability of . The 0.4% MnO‐doped KNN‐0.045BNZ ceramics sintered in reducing atmosphere show excellent piezoelectric constant d₃₃ = 300 pC/N and 0.2% MnO‐doped KNN‐0.045BNZ ceramics sintered in air possess optimal piezoelectric constant d₃₃ = 290 pC/N.     

Temperature‐insensitive piezoelectricity in lead‐free NaNbO3‐based ceramics

In this work, we report a lead‐free piezoelectric ceramic of (0.9‐x)NaNbO₃‐0.1BaTiO₃‐xBaZrO₃, and the effects of BaZrO₃ on the phase structure, microstructure, electrical properties and temperature stability are investigated. A morphotropic phase boundary‐like region consisting of rhombohedral (R) and tetragonal (T) phases is constructed in the compositions with x = 0.035‐0.04. More importantly, in situ temperature independence of the piezoelectric effect {piezoelectric constant (d₃₃) and strain} can be achieved below the Curie temperature (T_c). Intriguingly, the electric field‐induced strain is still observed at T ≥ T_c due to the combined actions of the electrostrictive effect and the electric field‐induced phase transition. We believe that NaNbO₃‐based ceramics of this type have potential for applications in actuators and sensors.     

Composition-driven broad phase boundary for optimizing properties and stability in lead-free barium titanate ceramics

A new piezoelectric system of (1−x−y)BaTiO₃-yCaZrO₃-xBaSnO₃ (BT-yCZ-xBS) was designed to achieve enhanced piezoelectric/strain properties and temperature stability. First, the relationships between composition, phase, and electrical properties are systematically investigated. The broad phase boundary with successive rhombohedral-orthorhombic (R-O) and orthorhombic-tetragonal (O-T) was obtained in 0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.05 and 0.04 ≤ y ≤ 0.07 by tailoring the relationship of composition and phase structure, confirmed by X-ray diffraction, temperature-dependent dielectric constants, and Raman spectra. The optimized piezoelectric coefficient of d₃₃ = 560 pC/N, high strain of >0.20%, and large converse piezoelectric coefficient of d₃₃* = 1170 pm/V were realized. Second, the optimized piezoelectricity both demonstrate a stable performance with fluctuation <8% for d₃₃* and 20% for d₃₃ between 22 and 60°C since the broad phase boundary is exhibited in this temperature range. We believe that this work is a successful example to optimize piezoelectric properties and enhance the stability for piezoceramics.     

A dispersed polycrystalline phase boundary constructed in CaZrO3 modified KNN based ceramics with both excellent piezoelectric properties and thermal stability

In this paper, the ceramics with composition of (0.98-x)(K_0.5Na_0.5)(Nb_0.96Sb_0.04)O₃-0.02(Bi_0.5Na_0.5)(Zr_0.8Ti_0.2)O_3-xCaZrO₃ (abbreviated as (0.98-x)KNNS-0.02BNZT-xCZ, x = 0, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02, 0.025, 0.03) were prepared by a traditional solid-state reaction method. The effect of the additional amount of CaZrO₃ on the phase structure, microstructure, dispersion index, domain structure and piezoelectric properties of ceramics was systematically studied. Finally, the piezoelectric properties and thermal stability of ceramics could be controlled by adding different amounts of CaZrO₃. The addition of CaZrO₃ transferred the phase structure of the ceramics from orthogonal-tetragonal (O-T) coexistence phase to rhombohedral-orthogonal (R–O) coexistence phase, which could be demonstrated by XRD test, temperature-dependent Raman spectra and ε_r‐T plot analysis. And when x = 0.02, the ceramics possessed the best piezoelectric and dielectric properties (d₃₃ = 253 pC/N, ε_r = 1185, tanδ = 0.044). Such excellent electrical properties could be originated from the heterogeneous domain structure and small-size nano-domains of the ceramics. Moreover, with the increase of CaZrO₃ doping amount, the dispersion index of ceramics gradually increased from 1.404 to 1.871, which showed more obvious dispersion phase transition characteristics and improved the thermal stability of ceramics. Particularly, when x = 0.02, after annealing at a high temperature of 220 °C (close to its Curie temperature), the d₃₃ tested at room temperature remained above 85% of that without annealing. The results indicated that (0.98-x)KNNS-0.02BNZT-xCZ ceramic was a promising lead-free piezoelectric ceramic system.     

Antiferroelectric‐ferroelectric phase transition in lead‐free AgNbO3 ceramics for energy storage applications

The high‐energy storage density reported in lead‐free AgNbO₃ ceramics makes it a fascinating material for energy storage applications. The phase transition process of AgNbO₃ ceramics plays an important role in its properties and dominates the temperature and electric field dependent behavior. In this work, the phase transition behavior of AgNbO₃ ceramics was investigated by polarization hysteresis and dielectric tunability measurements. It is revealed that the ferrielectric (FIE) phase at room temperature possesses both ferroelectric (FE)‐like and antiferroelectric (AFE)‐like dielectric responses prior to the critical AFE‐FE transition point. A recoverable energy storage density of 2 J/cm³ was achieved at 150 kV/cm due to the AFE‐FE transition. Based on a modified Laudau phenomenological theory, the stabilities among the AFE, FE and FIE phases are discussed, laying a foundation for further optimization of the dielectric properties of AgNbO₃.     

Global phase behavior of imidazolium ionic liquids and compressed 1,1,1,2‐tetrafluoroethane (R‐134a)

Novel processes involving ionic liquids with refrigerant gases have recently been developed. Here, the complete global phase behavior has been measured for the refrigerant gas, 1,1,1,2‐tetrafluoroethane (R‐134a) and 1‐n‐alkyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium ionic liquids with the anions hexafluorophosphate [PF₆], tetrafluoroborate [BF₄] and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [Tf₂N] from ～0°C to 105°C and to 33 MPa. All of the systems studied were Type V from the classification scheme of Scott‐van Konynenburg with regions of vapor‐liquid equilibrium, miscible/critical regions, vapor‐liquid‐liquid equilibrium, and upper and lower critical endpoints (UCEP and LCEP). The effect of the alkyl chain length has been investigated, for ethyl‐([EMIm]), n‐butyl‐([BMIm]), and n‐hexyl‐([HMIm]). With increasing chain length, the temperature of the lower critical end points increases and pressure at the mixture critical points decrease. With a common cation, the temperature of the LCEP increased and the mixture critical point pressures decreased in the order of [BF₄], [PF₆], and [Tf₂N]. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009     

Enhanced pyroelectric performance in potassium sodium niobate-based ceramics via multisymmetries coexistence design

Achieving excellent pyroelectric performance remains a challenge for lead-free piezoelectric ceramics. To meet the requirements of both an enhanced pyroelectric coefficient at room temperature and good thermal stability during the encapsulation of pyroelectric devices, (1–x)K_0.48Na_0.52NbO₃–xBi_0.5Ag_0.5ZrO₃–0.2%Fe₂O₃ (KNN–BAZ–Fe) lead-free ferroelectric ceramics with high Curie temperatures were prepared to obtain improved pyroelectric performance via the coexistence of multiple symmetries. The variation of BAZ content led to the formation of rhombohedral–orthorhombic–tetragonal phase boundary and promoted grain growth, resulting in the best pyroelectric coefficient (p = 5.09 × 10⁻⁴ C m⁻²°C⁻¹) and enhanced figures of merit (F_i = 0.2084 × 10⁻⁹ (m V⁻¹), F_v = 0.0142 m² C⁻¹, F_d = 0.0947 × 10⁻⁴ Pa^−1/2, and F_e = 17.66 J m⁻³ K⁻²) for infrared (IR) detection when x = 0.05. The room-temperature pyroelectric coefficient obtained in this study is approximately four times that of the pure KNN ceramic and is the maximum value reported for niobate-based piezoelectric ceramics. Moreover, compared with the poor thermal stability of barium titanate- and bismuth sodium titanate-based ceramics because of their ultralow Curie temperature or thermal depolarization temperature, the ceramics investigated here exhibit much better thermal stability because of their high Curie temperature (T_C > 300°C) and diffused phase-transition behavior, making them more adaptable for practical applications. These results suggest that KNN–xBAZ–Fe ceramics are attractive candidates for applications in the field of IR sensors.     

Phase transition behavior of Pb(Hf,Sn, Ti,Nb)O3 ceramics at morphotropic phase boundary

The phase transition and dielectric properties of Pb_0.988(Hf_0.945Sn_xTi_0.03-xNb_0.025)O₃ ceramics (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.03, correspondingly abbreviated as H1, H2, H3, and H4) at the morphotropic phase boundary were systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction results and P-E hysteresis loops show that the dominate orthorhombic antiferroelectric phase and a small amount of the tetragonal FE phase coexist in Pb_0.988(Hf_0.945Sn_xTi_0.03-xNb_0.025)O₃ ceramics. As the Sn content increases, the antiferroelectricity is significantly enhanced, accompanied with an increased Curie temperature and sharply reduced peak dielectric constant. H1 and H2 experience an irreversible field-induced AFE-FE phase transition at the ambient temperature, and the transition from a metastable FE phase to the original AFE phase is observed in H2 when heated to 60°C. H3 and H4 experience an invertible AFE-FE phase transition, along with an enhanced forward phase switching field E_F. Moreover a decreased backward phase switching field E_A for H4 is detected as the electric field increases due to the AFE/FE coexistence. These results reveal the unique phase transition characteristics of AFE materials near the phase boundary, which is helpful for better understanding of AFE/FE materials.     

Phase transition induced morphotropic phase boundary behavior and the electric properties in strontium modulated Bi4.5Na0.5Ti4O15 lead-free ceramics

Lead-free (Bi_0.5Na_0.5)_1-xSr_xBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ ceramics (x = 0–0.9) are fabricated by solid state reaction process. XRD analysis shows the symmetry divergence from tetragonal to orthorhombic phase accompanied by morphotropic phase boundary with increasing strontium content. Raman spectra confirm the incorporation of strontium into (Bi_2.5Na_0.5Ti₄O₁₃)^2- layers. SEM graphs exhibit the typical plate-like morphology with regular variation of grain size and crystallization as strontium increases. Multistage ferroelectric transition is observed with x = 0.2–0.4. Piezoelectric performance measurements present the well thermal stability at x = 0.4. The dielectric properties display a shifting of Curie temperature towards low temperature with increasing strontium ions. It can be due to the crystal lattice distortion by larger radius of strontium and the increasing tolerance factor. ac conductivity and impedance measurements suggest that electron hopping mainly contributes to the low temperature region. Ionization conductivity by oxygen vacancy migration including first-ionization and double-ionization plays the dominating role in the middle and high temperature region. The controllable properties indicate the potential applications for electric devices of (Bi_0.5Na_0.5)_1-xSr_xBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ ceramic.     

The NbO6 octahedral distortion and phase structural transition of Eu3+‐doped K0.5Na0.5NbO3–xLiNbO3 ferroelectric ceramics

A small quantity of Eu³⁺ ions were doped in the lead‐free ferroelectric K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃–xLiNbO₃ (KNN–xLN, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) ceramics to investigate the NbO₆ octahedral distortion induced by the increasing LN content. In addition, the phase structure, ferroelectric, and photoluminescence properties of K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃–xLiNbO₃:0.006Eu³⁺ (KNN–xLN:0.006Eu³⁺) lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics were characterized. All the X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectra, dielectric constant vs temperature measurements and the photoluminescence of Eu³⁺ ions demonstrated that the prepared ceramics undergo a polymorphic phase transition (PPT, from orthorhombic to tetragonal phase transformation) with the rising LN content, and the PPT region locates at 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.06. The ferroelectric properties, Raman intensity ratios and photoluminescence intensity ratios show similar variations with the increasing LN content, all with a maximum value achieved at the PPT region. We believe that the close relationship among the ferroelectric properties, Raman intensity ratios, and photoluminescence intensity ratios is caused by the NbO₆ octahedral distortion. The photoluminescence of Eu³⁺ ion was discussed basing on the crystal‐symmetry principle and Judd‐Ofelt theory.     

Structural phase transition and electrical properties of Sr2+ substituted porous PMN‐PZT ceramics

In this study, Sr²⁺ modified porous PMN‐PZT ceramics with one‐dimensional pore channels were produced by the ionotropic gelation process of alginate/PMN‐PZT suspensions. The ion‐exchange method was employed during the fabrication procedure to adjust the content of SrO addition. With the SrO addition increasing from 1.653 wt.% to 2.957 wt.%, the structural phase of porous PMN‐PZT ceramics transformed from rhombohedral (R) to tetragonal (T) perovskite phase. Accordingly, the electromechanical coupling coefficient (k_t) value of porous PMN‐PZT ceramics decreased from 64.7% to 58.7%, while the hydrostatic figure of merit (HFOM) value increased from 1510 to 5547 × 10^?15 m²/N, and acoustic impedance Z value ranged from 4.59 to 7.55 MRayls, which helped for applications in underwater transducers or hydrophones.     

Low‐temperature aging of baddeleyite‐based Ca‐TZP ceramics

The aging kinetics during low‐temperature aging of calcia‐stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Ca‐TZP) ceramics prepared by high‐energy milling of natural zirconia mineral (baddeleyite) was studied by X‐ray diffraction under hydrothermal treatment conditions. Aging kinetics was investigated for ceramics with different contents of calcia. It was found that the kinetics may be well‐described within Johnson‐Mehl‐Avrami‐Kolmogorov model. Model parameters were determined by data fitting procedure. Change in exponential factor within Johnson‐Mehl‐Avrami‐Kolmogorov model with time is shown. Analytical model to describe aging kinetics is proposed. The transformation nucleation rate, initial diameter, and depth of the transformed areas and their growth rates are estimated. Degradation of hardness and fracture toughness is also reported for Ca‐TZP after low‐temperature aging for different contents of the stabilizer.     

NaNbO3‐BaTiO3‐NaSbO3 lead and potassium‐free ceramics with thermally stable small‐signal piezoelectric properties

A new lead‐potassium‐free ceramic of (0.9‐x)NaNbO₃‐0.1BaTiO₃‐xNaSbO₃ (NN‐BT‐xNS) was successfully prepared via a solid‐state reaction method. The microstructure, phase structure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties were investigated as a function of NS content. The substitution of NS for NN was found to dramatically change the grain morphology from cube‐like grains typical for alkaline niobate‐based ceramics to conventional sphere‐like grains especially for Pb‐based perovskite ceramics. A normal to relaxor ferroelectric phase transformation was accompanied by a tetragonal (T) to rhombohedral (R) phase transition. A composition‐temperature phase diagram demonstrated a vertical morphotropic phase boundary between T and R phases in the composition range of x=0.03‐0.04, where optimum electrical properties of d₃₃=252 pC/N, k_p=36%, Q_m=168, =2063, and T_c=109°C were obtained in the x=0.035 ceramic sintered at 1260°C. Particularly, excellent temperature insensitivity of small‐signal piezoelectric properties suggested large application potentials in various actuators and sensors in comparison with other typical lead‐free materials.