Influence of oxidant and fuel on the powder characteristics of LiNbO3 synthesized by combustion method

Abstract

Lithium niobate (LiNbO 3) is widely recognized as a promising material for replacing lead-based piezoelectric ceramics. Although the LiNbO 3 synthesis by combustion method has been investigated with particular attention recently, the influence of oxidants and different fuels' sources on the synthesized powders has not yet been thoroughly studied. In this work we investigate the influence of urea and maleic hydrazide as fuels and ammonium nitrate as an oxidant on the powder characteristics of LiNbO 3 synthesized by combustion method. In addition, powder characteristics and sinterability of powders prepared by combustion method are compared with those of powders prepared by solid-state reaction. The results show that the second phase LiNb 3 O 8 was detected only when an oxidant agent was used in the synthesis process. Among all combustion reactions, the powders prepared with excess of urea presented better final characteristics. As a result, the sintering temperature for LiNbO 3 powders prepared by combustion method was appreciably lowered when compared with those prepared by solid-state reaction.