Facile Synthesis of Lead-Free Piezoelectric Sodium Niobate (NaNbO₃) Powders via the Solution Combustion Method

Abstract

Nanocrystalline perovskite sodium niobate, NaNbO₃ (NN), was prepared by means of the glycine-nitrate combustion process (GNP). This was achieved by using sodium nitrate and niobium pentoxide as starting materials. The X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) was used to investigate the phase formation and purity of synthesized powder. The morphology of the powder obtained was characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The amount of glycine in the starting solution was found to have significant influence on the combustion process and the final phase purity. The fuel-rich ratio (fuel-to-oxidant molar ratio of 1.0) was found to produce NaNbO₃ powder of an average crystalline size (defined by XRD) of 31.31 ± 4.37 nm. Calcination at 400°C for 4 h produced single phase NN with an average crystalline size of about 26.60 to 37.14 nm.

Keywords:

• Sodium niobate
• glycine-nitrate combustion process
• combustion method

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by KMITL Research Fund, Thailand Graduate Institute of Science and Technology (TGIST), and the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC) NSTDA, Ministry of Science and Technology, Thailand through its “Center of Excellence Network” Program.