Synthesis and characterization of fine lithium niobate powders by sol-gel method

Lithium niobate (LN) nanocrystal powders were prepared by low-temperature sol-gel method. Dihydrate lithium acetate as lithium source, and niobium chloride as niobium source were used as starting materials. The gel and powders were characterized by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronmicroscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The results show that when the gel was heat-treated at 600 C, the fine LN nanocrystals with the size of 40-60 nm were obtained, and the size of the powders become larger with the heat-treated temperature increasing. (copyright 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)