Peroxide route towards low temperature synthesis of LiNbO3:: An environmentally benign approach

Powders of LiNbO3 were synthesized by novel peroxide route based on reaction of niobium peroxide and lithium hydroxide. A pH of 11 was found to provide optimum condition for the formation of peroxo niobium precursor complex [Nb(O-2)(4)](3-). The replacement of peroxide ligand was favored by increasing the reaction temperature above ambient. This method demonstrated its efficacy in obtaining pure and homogeneous crystalline LiNbO3 powders at reduced temperature (400degreesC) without involvement of organic substance. The crystalline phase was characterized via powder X-ray diffraction and Infrared, Raman spectroscopy. SEM micrographs enabled in detecting the formation of inverse opal of LiNbO3. For comparison LiNbO3 was also prepared by amorphous complex method independently and characterized. The peroxide approach presented here gives an alternative for the preparation of multi component oxides free from organics and chlorides.