Synthesis and Comparative Study of the Microstructure and Properties of LiNbO3 and LiNbO3:Zn Ceramics Manufactured by Sol–Gel Processes

Abstract

The manufacture of LiNbO₃ and LiNbO₃:Zn fine-grained powders by two variants of the sol–gel process was studied. The microstructure, mechanical and electric properties of LiNbO₃ and LiNbO₃:Zn ceramics prepared from powders of various origins were studied. The ceramics prepared from powders that had been fractionated by elutriation had uniform micro- and submicrostructure, improved strength characteristics, and ionic grain-boundary conductivity. Doping LiNbO₃ with Zn²⁺ reduced the electronic conductivity of LiNbO₃:Zn ceramics, and this allowed the ceramics to be efficiently polarized and their piezoelectric properties to be improved.