Synthesis and Comparative Study of the Microstructure and Properties of LiNbO3 and LiNbO3:Zn Ceramics Manufactured by Sol–Gel Processes

The manufacture of LiNbO3 and LiNbO3:Zn fine-grained powders by two variants of the sol–gel process was studied. The microstructure, mechanical and electric properties of LiNbO3 and LiNbO3:Zn ceramics prepared from powders of various origins were studied. The ceramics prepared from powders that had been fractionated by elutriation had uniform micro- and submicrostructure, improved strength characteristics, and ionic grain-boundary conductivity. Doping LiNbO3 with Zn2+ reduced the electronic conductivity of LiNbO3:Zn ceramics, and this allowed the ceramics to be efficiently polarized and their piezoelectric properties to be improved.