Phase evolution of (K, Na)NbO3 powder prepared by high temperature mixing under hydrothermal conditions

(Na, K)NbO3 (KNN) powders were successfully prepared by high temperature mixing method (HTMM) under hydrothermal conditions to study the effect of reaction time on the formation of KNN for three K+/(K+ + Na+) ratios of 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), to show the change of phase and morphology of the as-prepared particles with the K+/(K+ + Na+) molar ratio in the solution. Pure Na-rich KNN monoclinic phase and pure K-rich KNN orthorhombic phase could be obtained quickly after mixing the solutions at high temperature when the K+/(K+ + Na+) molar ratio was either 0.6 or 0.8. When the K+/(K+ + Na+) molar ratio was 0.7, however, the K-rich KNN orthorhombic phase grain formed first, followed by the Na-rich KNN monoclinic phase grain, with the two phases coexisting in the final product.

Graphical abstractPure Na-rich KNN monoclinic phase and pure K-rich KNN orthorhombic phase could be obtained quickly after mixing the starting solutions at high temperature when the K+/(K+ + Na+) molar ratio was either 0.6 or 0.8. When the K+/(K+ + Na+) molar ratio was 0.7, however, the K-rich KNN phase formed first, followed by the Na-rich KNN phase, with the two phases coexisting in the final product.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide