Evaluation and thermodynamic optimization of phase diagram of lithium niobate tantalate solid solutions

The lithium niobate–lithium tantalate solid solution’s phase diagram was investigated using experimental data from differential thermal analysis (DTA) and crystal growth. We used XRF analysis to determine the elemental composition of the crystals. The Neumann–Kopp rule provided essential data for the end members lithium niobate (LN) and lithium tantalate (LT). The heats of fusion of the end members, given by DTA measurements, are 103 kJ/mol at 1531 K for LN and 289 kJ/mol at 1913 K for LT. These values were used as input parameters to generate the data. This data served as the basis for calculating a phase diagram for LN-LT solid solutions. Finally, based on the experimental data and a thermodynamic solution model, the Calphad Factsage module optimized the phase diagram. We also generated thermodynamic parameters for Gibbs’ excess energy of the solid solution. A plot of the segregation coefficient as a function of Ta concentration was derived from the phase diagram.