Tuning the Piezoelectric Performance of K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ through Li Doping: Insights from Structural, Elastic and...

The structural, elastic, piezoelectric, and electronic properties of Li-doped K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ (K_0.5-Na_0.5-Li₊NbO₃, KNN-L) are calculated. The properties of KNN-L are related to the Li-doping content and the replaced K or Na atoms. The bulk modulus, the shear modulus, and Young's modulus of KNN-L are mostly higher than those of KNN, and the hardness value increases. The Poisson ratio of KNN-L is lower than that of most KNN, and the ductility is reduced. All doped structures are direct band gap semiconductors. K_0.5Na_0.375Li_0.125NbO₃ has the largest piezoelectric charge constant, d₃₃ = 44.72 pC/N, in the respective structures, which is 1.5 fold that of K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ (29.15 pC/N). The excellent piezoelectric performance of Li-doping KNN-L was analyzed from the insights of elastic and electronic properties.