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Antisite defect elimination through Mg doping in stoichiometric lithium tantalate powder synthesized via a wet‐chemical spray‐drying method
Author(s) -
Sun Dehui,
Kang Xueliang,
Yu Qian,
Cui Kun,
Qin Xiaoyong,
Shi Xuxia,
Cai Huaqiang,
Ohachi Tadashi,
Sang Yuanhua,
Liu Hong
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of applied crystallography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.429
H-Index - 162
ISSN - 1600-5767
DOI - 10.1107/s1600576715002113
Subject(s) - materials science , crystallite , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , stoichiometry , scanning electron microscope , doping , calcination , transmission electron microscopy , analytical chemistry (journal) , magnesium , chemical engineering , nuclear chemistry , mineralogy , chemistry , metallurgy , nanotechnology , catalysis , organic chemistry , composite material , optoelectronics , engineering
MgO‐doped stoichiometric LiTaO 3 (MgO:SLT) is one of the most promising nonlinear materials. However, its industrial application is limited by the poor optical quality caused by the nonhomogeneous distribution of magnesium. Herein, an MgO:SLT polycrystalline powder was synthesized with a homogenous magnesium distribution by a wet‐chemical spray‐drying method. A comparative investigation of the coordination state of Ta ions in MgO:SLT powders synthesized by this method and by a conventional solid‐state reaction method was performed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is proved that the Ta–Li antisite was completely eliminated as a result of the homogeneous Mg doping in the SLT lattice using the wet‐chemical spray‐drying method. However, for MgO:LT powder produced by the solid‐state reaction method, element analysis after acid treatment shows that some Mg ions did not enter the LT lattice after high‐temperature calcination. Also, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy energy dispersive spectroscopy verified that some MgO particles still exist in the as‐synthesized MgO:LT powder. This synthesis method can be used for mass production of high‐quality polycrystalline powders for doped crystal growth and some other doped oxide powder products with high melt point.