(Na0.5Bi0.5)(0.94)Ba0.06TiO3-xwt.%CeO2 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) powders were synthesis by a citrate method, and the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of the ceramics were investigated. The results indicate that the citrate method is an advantageous route in producing (Na0.5Bi0.5)(0.94)Ba0.06TiO3-xwt-%CeO2 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) ceramics. Homogeneous and fine powders with a pure perovskite structure were derived from precursor solutions with a mole ration of citric acid to total metal cation content (C/M) of 1.3 by calcining at 650 degrees C for 1 h. The sample containing 0.6 wt.%CeO2 made by the citrate method shows superior piezoelectric properties and a strong ferroelectricity: high piezoelectric constant (d(33) = 157 pC/N), high electromechanical coupling factor (k(p) = 31.2%), enhanced dielectric constant (epsilon(T)(33)/epsilon(o) = 819) and relatively low dissipation factor (tan delta = 2.72%) at 1 kHz, corresponding to a relatively large remanent polarization of Pr = 38.0 mu C/cm(2) and a relatively low coercive field of E-c = 37.4 kV/cm. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.