Features of polarization of piezoelectric ceramics based on sodium niobate

Comparative studies of the pyroelectric properties and structural features of sodium niobate and sodium-potassium niobate ceramics obtained under different technological conditions for the synthesis of sodium niobate have been carried out. X-ray phase analysis revealed the existence of an additional phase with the chemical formula NaNb$_{10}$O$_{18}$ in sodium niobate ceramic samples that do not exhibit ferroelectric properties. It is shown that the temperature conditions for the synthesis of the sodium niobate material determine the nature of the macroscopic polarization of the samples of both pure sodium niobate and sodium-potassium niobate.