SYNTHESIS OF MICROCRYSTALLINE LINBO3 IN MOLTEN NITRATE

LiNbO3 has been prepared by means of reaction of Nb2O5 with an excess of LiNO3 in the melt. Lux-Flood acidobasic interaction between the oxi de and the alkali metal nitrate occurred in molten LiNO3 at 500 degree s C. After reaction, the excess LiNO3 was removed from the solidified product by water extraction and pure microcrystalline lithium niobate was obtained. If the reaction temperature was increased to 550 degrees C, incorporation of additional Li in the solid was observed, leading to the destruction of LiNbO3 crystals with the formation of a Li3NbO4 phase. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.