Niobates

Niobates

 

columbates, salts of niobic acids. The main niobates include metaniobates, MeNbO3; orthoniobates, Me3NbO4; and salts of the type Me5NbO5 (where Me is an alkali metal). Niobates are prepared by fusion of Nb2O5 with the oxides of other metals or by treating niobium hydroxide with alkaline solutions. They are used in the manufacture of electric capacitors and piezoelectric transducers. Complex natural niobates also exist.