Fabrication of fine lead metaniobate powder using hydrothermal processes

Fine submicron PbNb2O6 powder was successfully prepared from hydrothermally derived precursors. Through using lead nitrate and niobium hydrogenoxalate solutions as starting materials and heating the 200 degrees C-hydrothermally treated precursors at 800 degrees C resulted in the complete formation of PbNb2O6. The particles exhibited a spherical shape. On the other hand, adding an ammonia solution in the hydrothermal process led to the formation of a pyrochlore phase. The well-developed Choosing appropriate starting material was found to be crucial for controlling the reaction processes and microstructures of PbNb2O6 powder.