Ferroelectric K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN) thin films were prepared by a chemical solution deposition approach with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) of different molecular weights introduced in the precursor solutions. The volatilization of the alkali ions and the effects of the molecular weight of PVP were examined with x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis, mass spectrometry, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results clearly showed that the volatilization of the alkali ions mainly happened at moderate temperatures before the crystallization of the KNN perovskite phase. Loss of Na was more significant than K ions during the heating process of KNN. The introduction of PVP with the appropriate molecular weight could effectively promote the crystallization of the KNN perovskite phase at reduced temperature and substantially suppress the loss of the alkali ions before crystallization. Therefore, a high dielectric constant, piezoelectric coefficient, and well saturated ferroelectric hysteresis loops were obtained in the KNN films in which PVP of the right molecular weight were introduced.

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( K 0.5 Na 0.5 ) NbO 3 (KNN)-based ferroelectric thin films were prepared by a chemical solution approach modified with both diethanolamine (DEA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as the stabilizing agents. The obtained KNN thin films exhibited a remarkably low leakage current and well-saturated polarization hysteresis loop. The effective piezoelectric strain coefficient d33 and voltage coefficient g33 under the clamping of the substrate were improved to 74.0 pm/V and 28.3 mm V/N, respectively. The reason for the superior properties was found that the addition of EDTA and DEA was effective in suppressing the volatilization of K and Na at moderate temperature before the crystallization.