Synthesis of Zinc-Doped Lithium Tantalate Charge in the Technology of Novel Crystalline Functional Materials

A procedure was developed for preparing lithium tantalate (LiTaO 3 ) charge homogeneously doped with lithium from high-purity tantalum-containing solutions, based on heat treatment of lithium-, tantalum-, and zinc-containing citrate precursors. The thermolysis products were studied by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and IR absorption spectroscopy. The optimum synthesis conditions and zinc concentration to obtain a single-phase LiTaO 3 :Zn charge were determined. Comparison with the properties of an isomorphic compound LiNbO 3 (LiNbO 3 :Zn) demonstrated the advantages of the synthesis procedure developed and practically important properties such as high optical stability of LiTaO 3 :Zn crystals and low coercive field, acquired by lithium tantalate upon doping with zinc. Samples of LiTaO 3 :Zn charge of various compositions, suitable both for the technology of LiTaO 3 :Zn crystals and for the preparation of piezoelectric ceramics based on zinc-doped lithium tantalate, were prepared by the developed procedure.