Bi3NbTiO9 (BNT) ceramic materials with the density ratios of 95-97% to the theoretical density were prepared by the conventional mixed-oxide method. The Curie temperature (T-c), 914 degreesC was found to be almost the highest one among those of all the ceramics known to date. The crystal structure of the ceramic was investigated by X-ray diffraction method. Anisomettic plate-like crystalline grains were observed, which revealed the-layered structure of the material. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity was measured. For the first time the dielectric properties of Bi3NbTiO9 in the vicinity of its transition temperature were measured. Finally, the hysteresis (P-E) loop measurement showed a good ferroelectricity in the Bi3NbTiO9 ceramics, and the piezoelectric constant (d(33)) was found to be 7 pC/N. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.