Effect of calcination conditions on phase formation and particle size of lead nickel niobate powders synthesized by using Ni4Nb2O9 precursor

An approach to synthesize lead nickel niobate, Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3 or PNN, powders with a modified two-stage mixed oxide synthetic route has been developed. Novel intermediate phase of nickel diniobate (Ni4Nb2O9) was employed as a B-site precursor, with the formation of the PNN phase investigated as a function of calcination conditions by TG-DTA and XRD techniques. Morphology, particle size and chemical composition have been determined via a combination of SEM and EDX techniques. It has been found that the unreacted PbO and Pb1.45Nb2O6.26 phases tend to form together with PNN, depending on calcination conditions. It is seen that optimization of calcination conditions can lead to a 100% yield of PNN in a cubic phase.