Preparation of KNbO3 powders by sol-gel method using water-soluble potassium and niobium compounds as precursors

In the paper the full sol-gel process of KNbO3 powder preparation, using KOH, Nb2O5 and K2CO3 as initial substrates as well as oxalic and citric acid as a chelating agent is presented. It was also confirmed that a mixture of compounds obtained during calcination of KOH and Nb2O5, mixed in adequate proportions, could be source of Nb ions in the sol-gel process. The crystal and electronic structure parameters of the manufactured powder proper for KNbO3 compound were established using XRD, XPS and UV-VIS techniques.