TITLE:
A Novel Low Temperature Synthesis of KNN Nanoparticles by Facile Wet Chemical Method
AUTHORS:
Rashmi Rani, Seema Sharma, Marzia Quaglio, Radheshyam Rai, Stefano Bianco, Diego Pugliese, Candido Fabrizio Pirri
KEYWORDS:
KNN Nano-Powder, Sol-Gel Method, Perovskite Phase, Low Temperature Sintering, Ceramic Processing
JOURNAL NAME:
Materials Sciences and Applications,
Vol.8 No.3,
March
17,
2017
ABSTRACT: Sodium potassium niobate (KNN) (K0.5Na0.5NbO3) nanopowder with a mean particle size of about 20 - 30 nm was synthesized by wet chemical route using Nb2O5 as Nb source. A solution of K, Na and Nb cations was prepared, which resulted in a clear gel after the thermal treatment. Phase analysis, microstructure and morphology of the powder were determined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The obtained gel was first analyzed by Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and then calcined at different temperatures of 400℃, 500℃, 600℃ and 700℃. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns of the synthesized samples confirmed the formation of the orthorhombic crystal phase of K0.5Na0.5NbO3 at 500?C, a temperature significantly lower than that typically used in the conventional mixed oxide route. The process developed in this work is convenient to realize the mass production of KNN nanopowders at low cost and suitable for various industrial applications.