Structural and Morphological Peculiarities of the Lithium Niobate and Lithium Tantalate Powders Synthesized in Chloride Melts

Abstract

A new method for synthesizing lithium niobate and lithium tantalate is proposed and tested. It is based on the interaction between lithium, niobium, and tantalum oxides, which are formed during in situ reactions of atmospheric oxygen with homogeneous mixtures of molten lithium, niobium(V), and tantalum(V) chlorides. This method allows us to form single-phase lithium niobate and lithium tantalate powders (LiNbO₃, LiTaO₃) of a homogeneous morphological composition with an average particle size from 200 to 300 nm. The replacement of salt precursors (NbCl₅, TaCl₅) by oxide ones (Nb₂O₅, Ta₂O₅) under the same experimental conditions is shown to increase the average particle size of the synthesized powders and the heterogeneity of their morphological composition and to promote the appearance of by-products.