The effect of (Li,Ce) or (K,Ce) doping on the structures and properties of bismuth layer-structured ferroelectric (BLSF) CaBi4Ti4O15-based ceramics was studied. In Ca1-x(K,Ce)(x/2)Bi4Ti4O15 and Ca1-x(Li,Ce)(x/2)Bi4Ti4O15 (0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.9) compounds, the effect of the substitution on the lattice parameters was given. The XRD patterns of Ca1-x(K,Ce)(x/2)Bi4Ti4O15 and Ca1-x(Li,Ce)(x/2)Bi4Ti4O15 ceramics showed that the compounds were Aurivillius phases. SEM micrographs show that the grains of CBT-based ceramics were plate-like. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) results showed that Li+ was present in bismuth layer-structured ferroelectrics. Based on the AES analysis and the comparisons with A-site (K,Ce) substitution, Li substitution of A-site cations in BLSF is possible. For x = 0.15 compositions, (Li,Ce) or (K,Ce) dopants can improve the high temperature resisitivity and piezoelectric constant d(33) of the doped ceramics. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.