Controlled-Atmosphere Sintering of KNbO<sub>3</sub>
The effect of sintering atmosphere (O<sub>2</sub>, air, N<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>-5% H<sub>2</sub>, and H<sub>2</sub>) on the densification, grain growth, and structure of KNbO<sub>3</sub> was studied. KNbO<sub>3</su...
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doaj-268146d330044e7bb18a631fb83b94872020-11-25T01:44:35ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172020-03-01106213110.3390/app10062131app10062131Controlled-Atmosphere Sintering of KNbO<sub>3</sub>Doan Thanh Trung0John G. Fisher1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, KoreaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, KoreaThe effect of sintering atmosphere (O<sub>2</sub>, air, N<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>-5% H<sub>2</sub>, and H<sub>2</sub>) on the densification, grain growth, and structure of KNbO<sub>3</sub> was studied. KNbO<sub>3</sub> powder was prepared by solid state reaction, and samples were sintered at 1040 °C for 1−10 h. The sample microstructure was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The sample structure was studied using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). H<sub>2</sub>-sintered samples showed reduced density, whereas other sintering atmospheres did not affect density much. Samples sintered in N<sub>2</sub>-5% H<sub>2</sub> showed abnormal grain growth, whereas sintering in other atmospheres caused stagnant (O<sub>2</sub>, air, N<sub>2</sub>) or pseudo-normal (H<sub>2</sub>) grain growth behavior. Samples sintered in reducing atmospheres showed decreased orthorhombic unit cell distortion. The grain growth behavior was explained by the mixed control theory. An increase in vacancy concentration caused by sintering in reducing atmospheres led to a decrease in the step free energy and the critical driving force for appreciable grain growth. This caused grain growth behavior to change from stagnant to abnormal and eventually pseudo-normal.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/6/2131lead-free piezoelectricalkali niobatemicrostructure grain growth |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Doan Thanh Trung John G. Fisher |
spellingShingle |
Doan Thanh Trung John G. Fisher Controlled-Atmosphere Sintering of KNbO<sub>3</sub> Applied Sciences lead-free piezoelectric alkali niobate microstructure grain growth |
author_facet |
Doan Thanh Trung John G. Fisher |
author_sort |
Doan Thanh Trung |
title |
Controlled-Atmosphere Sintering of KNbO<sub>3</sub> |
title_short |
Controlled-Atmosphere Sintering of KNbO<sub>3</sub> |
title_full |
Controlled-Atmosphere Sintering of KNbO<sub>3</sub> |
title_fullStr |
Controlled-Atmosphere Sintering of KNbO<sub>3</sub> |
title_full_unstemmed |
Controlled-Atmosphere Sintering of KNbO<sub>3</sub> |
title_sort |
controlled-atmosphere sintering of knbo<sub>3</sub> |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Applied Sciences |
issn |
2076-3417 |
publishDate |
2020-03-01 |
description |
The effect of sintering atmosphere (O<sub>2</sub>, air, N<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>-5% H<sub>2</sub>, and H<sub>2</sub>) on the densification, grain growth, and structure of KNbO<sub>3</sub> was studied. KNbO<sub>3</sub> powder was prepared by solid state reaction, and samples were sintered at 1040 °C for 1−10 h. The sample microstructure was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The sample structure was studied using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). H<sub>2</sub>-sintered samples showed reduced density, whereas other sintering atmospheres did not affect density much. Samples sintered in N<sub>2</sub>-5% H<sub>2</sub> showed abnormal grain growth, whereas sintering in other atmospheres caused stagnant (O<sub>2</sub>, air, N<sub>2</sub>) or pseudo-normal (H<sub>2</sub>) grain growth behavior. Samples sintered in reducing atmospheres showed decreased orthorhombic unit cell distortion. The grain growth behavior was explained by the mixed control theory. An increase in vacancy concentration caused by sintering in reducing atmospheres led to a decrease in the step free energy and the critical driving force for appreciable grain growth. This caused grain growth behavior to change from stagnant to abnormal and eventually pseudo-normal. |
topic |
lead-free piezoelectric alkali niobate microstructure grain growth |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/6/2131 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT doanthanhtrung controlledatmospheresinteringofknbosub3sub AT johngfisher controlledatmospheresinteringofknbosub3sub |
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