Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of piezoelectric lithium tetraborate, Li2B4O7, crystals

Abstract

Lithium tetraborate, Li₂B₄O₇, single crystals have been obtained for the first time by a hydrothermal method. Hydrothermal experiments were carried out at relatively low temperature and pressure conditions (T= 230 °C and P= 100 atm). Solubility measurements were carried out by a weight-loss method and were found to be positive. The crystals obtained were characterized by various techniques, e.g. XRD, morphology, wet chemical analysis, DTA and IR spectroscopy. The advantages of a hydrothermal technique over earlier methods used in the growth of lithium tetraborate crystals are discussed.