The mechanism for the enhanced piezoelectricity in multi-elements doped (K,Na)NbO₃ ceramics

(K,Na)NbO₃ based ceramics are considered to be one of the most promising lead-free ferroelectrics replacing Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃. Despite extensive studies over the last two decades, the mechanism for the enhanced piezoelectricity in multi-elements doped (K,Na)NbO₃ ceramics has not been fully understood. Here, we combine temperature-dependent synchrotron x-ray diffraction and property measurements, atomic-scale scanning transmission electron microscopy, and first-principle and phase-field calculations to establish the dopant-structure-property relationship for multi-elements doped (K,Na)NbO₃ ceramics. Our results indicate that the dopants induced tetragonal phase and the accompanying high-density nanoscale heterostructures with low-angle polar vectors are responsible for the high dielectric and piezoelectric properties. This work explains the mechanism of the high piezoelectricity recently achieved in (K,Na)NbO₃ ceramics and provides guidance for the design of high-performance ferroelectric ceramics, which is expected to benefit numerous functional materials.