Influence of synthesis process on the structural and microstructural behavior of neodymium doped sodium and potassium niobate powders

Abstract

In this paper are presented the synthesis of sodium-potassium niobate doped with neodymium. The powders were obtained carried out by means of three synthesis methods (mixture of oxides, hydrothermal and pechini methods). It was possible to observe in function of the synthesis method, particles cohered to form agglomerates and variation in shape, and size particles. Changes in calcination temperatures were found as a function of synthesis methods (using thermogravimetric analysis). Secondary phases were not observed in neodymium-doped sodium-potassium niobate powders obtained by mixture of oxides; however, secondary phases formation was observed in the powders obtained by hydrothermal and pechini method. Into solid-state physics, this study is important because can be used as a reference for establish the synthesis parameters of sodium potassium niobate powders with other rare earth elements. Besides, the results are the input to obtain secondary phases free ceramics and be able to study multifunctional properties as future work.