Temperature-dependent dielectric and structural properties of Li-doped (Na, K) NbO3 near the morphotropic phase region

In this study, pellet samples of (Na0.5K0.5)1-yLiyNbO3, (NKLN) y ≤ 0.06, were prepared using a conventional solid-state reaction method with double sintering. The temperature-dependent dielectric constant and high-temperature X-ray diffraction characteristics of the prepared compositions were observed. Four consistent distinct phases were determined according to the observations as follows. For the compositions where y ≤ 0.02, the phases exhibited monoclinic symmetry between room temperature and about 200 °C, tetragonal between about 200 °C and 400 °C, tetragonal with different symmetry between about 400 °C and 460 °C (the so-called X phase), and cubic symmetry above about 460 °C. For the compositions with higher Li concentrations (y) between 0.03 ≤ y ≤ 0.06, the X phase was not observed and two distinct phase transitions were observed from monoclinic to tetragonal at around 200 °C, and from tetragonal to cubic at around 460 °C. •(Na0.5K0.5)1-yLiyNbO3, where y ≤ 0.06, prepared by solid-state reaction.•Temperature-dependent dielectric constant and high-temperature X-ray diffraction.•Four distinct phases when y ≤ 0.02, with transitions at 200 °C, 400 °C, and 460 °C.•When 0.03 ≤ y ≤ 0.06, no X phase and only two transitions at 200 °C and 460 °C.