Aurivillius type (NaBi)(0.5-x)(LiCe)(x)Bi2Nb2O9 ceramics were prepared by the standard ceramics route. The single crystal structural ceramics were achieved for all compositions and lattice distortion was decreased by (LiCe) dopants. The temperature dependent dielectric properties revealed that all compositions possess a high Curie-temperature (>780 degrees C). A modified Curie-Weiss relationship is used to study the diffuseness behavior of a ferroelectric phase transition indicating the degree of diffuseness of NBN-based ceramics increased with (LiCe) modifications. The degradation of resistance implied a plausible model that Ce4+ ions entered into the B-site of the pseudo-perovskite structure and acted as acceptor doping. Further investigation demonstrated that both electrical conduction and dielectric relaxation processes were associated with the oxygen vacancies produced by the substitution of Nb5+ ions by the Ce4+ ions. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.