[Li-0.03(K0.48Na0.52)(0.97)](Nb0.97Sb0.03)O-3-(Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.90Zr0.10)O-3 [(1-chi)LKNNS-chi BCTZ] lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid state method, and effects of BCTZ content on the piezoelectric properties of LKNNS ceramics were mainly investigated. A stable solid solution has been formed between LKNNS and BCTZ, and a morphotropic phase boundary of (1-chi)LKNNS-chi BCTZ ceramics is identified in the range of 0 < chi <= 0.02. The Curie temperature of (1-chi)LKNNS-chi BCTZ ceramics decreases with increasing BCTZ content. A higher 3 epsilon(r) value and a lower tan delta value are demonstrated for the (1-chi)LKNNS-chi BCTZ ceramic with chi = 0.02. The (1-chi)LKNNS-chi BCTZ ceramic with chi = 0.02 has an enhanced electrical behavior of d(33) similar to 237 pC/ N, k(p) similar to 48.6%, epsilon(r) similar to 1451, tan delta similar to 0.037, and T-c similar to 335 degrees C. As a result, (1-chi)LKNNS-chi BCTZ ceramics are promising candidate materials for the field of lead- free piezoelectric materials. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.