The research on lead-free piezoelectric ceramics has been one of the importantfields worldwide for years for the sustainable development of the world.In recent years,the author and his group concentrated their work on perovskite lead-free piezoelectric ceramics,especially on(Bi_(1/2)Na_(1/2))TiO_(3)(BNT)-and K_(1/2)Na_(1/2)NbO_(3)(KNN)-based ceramics.In this paper,the researches of the composition design on BNT-and KNN-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics,the effects of doping on the properties of these ceramics,the study of the temperature stability of these ceramics,and the fabrication technique used in the author's group for these ceramics are reviewed,and the further considerations and some prospects to be resolved in coming years from the viewpoint of the device applications of these ceramics are suggested.
Aim The piezoelectric properties and cytotoxicity of a porous lead-free piezoelectric ceramic for use as a direct bone substitute were investigated. Methodology Cold isostatic pressing （CIP） was applied to fabricate porous lithium sodium potassium niobate （Li0.06Na0.5K0.44） NbO3 specimens using a pore-forming method. The morphologies of the CIP-processed specimens were characterized and compared to those of specimens made by from conventional pressing procedures. The effects of the ceramic on the attachment and proliferation of osteoblasts isolated from the cranium of 1-day-old Sprague- Dawley rats were examined by a scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and metbylthiazol tetrazolium （MTT） assay. Results The results showed that CIP enhanced piezoelectricity and biological performance of the niobate specimen, and also promoted an extracellular matrix-like topography of it. In vitro studies showed that the CIP-enhanced material had positive effects on the attachment and proliferation of osteoblasts. Conclusion Niobate ceramic generated by CIP shows a promise for being a piezoelectric composite bone substitute.
