Crystallization and glass formation in 50Li2O · 50Nb2O5 and 25Li2O · 25Nb2O5 · 50SiO2

Abstract

Quenching of 50Li2O · 50Nb2O5 melt was investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and surface morphological analysis. Glass formation of 25Li2O · 25Nb2O5 · 50SiO2 and devitrification of LiNbO3 from the 25Li2O · 25Nb2O5 50SiO2 glass system were studied using DTA, XRD and electrolysis techniques. High quench rate yields smaller crystal grain size, lower crystallinity and more LiNbO3 crystal dendritic growth than the slow quenching. Three-fold symmetry was observed and a preferred crystallographic orientation of [0001] was confirmed for the quenched surfaces of LiNbO3. High Li+ mobility was observed in 25Li2O · 25Nb2O5 · 50SiO2 glass. By firing the 25Li2O · 25Nb2O5 · 50SiO2 at 800°C, glass ceramics of LiNbO3-SiO2 can be prepared.