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The so called "Polymerized LiNb (Lithium Niobocene)" is a fictional compound.

I heard about this substance being used for an interesting purpose. It reacts to mechanical stress or pressure by creating an electric charge (piezoelectricity) and, conversely, deforms, as if external pressure was applied, when voltage is applied. Apparently it was far more "piezoelectric" than any other similar compounds, i.e. it deformed far more drastically than other piezoelectric materials.

Does such a compound, or similar compounds, exist?

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    $\begingroup$ pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/om980716r for real niobocene $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Aug 25, 2015 at 0:40
  • $\begingroup$ So... Sorry if I've misunderstood, but I don't think anyone has answered my question. Can Polymerized Lithium Niobocene exist? $\endgroup$ Aug 25, 2015 at 7:58
  • $\begingroup$ similar type of question as here chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/35423/… $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Aug 25, 2015 at 12:54
  • $\begingroup$ Be patient, your question is problematic - the naming is vague and improper as it's fictional material - you care more about polymerization, niobocene, lithium, or properties? $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Aug 25, 2015 at 12:59
  • $\begingroup$ Accepted SCFlint's answer because I think my question was far too lacking in chemical knowledge. Sorry guys, my bad :/ - transfer Op's comment from question $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Aug 27, 2015 at 1:42

1 Answer 1

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Materials such as Terfenol-D and Galfenol are magnetostrictive ferrous alloys that expand and contract in the presence of magnetic fields, as well as creating magnetic fields when acted on by a physical force. Both these materials were developed at Ames Lab (formerly the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, that's why the material names end with -NOL). Terfenol-D has the highest magnetostriction of any Fe-alloy, but the high rare earth content or Terbium and Dysprosium limits its commercial applications.

The "polymer" moniker for Lithium polymer batteries does no refer to the lithium metal or oxides, it only speak to the polymer electrolyte or a polymer casing. It just a marketing term, no a chemical designation

So on to your question... Polymer, no. Monomer, no. Niobium has an extremely high melting point (nearly 2500C/4500F). It is a very difficult material to melt. Lithium boils around 1300C. From a metallurgical processing point of view, you would need a chamber pressurized to several MPa with an inert gas to prevent the lithium from volatilizing as you attempt to alloy it with niobium. You would also need some powerful magnetic stirring to attempt to keep the mix homogeneous since the lithium would literally float out of the solution.

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    $\begingroup$ Welcome on Chemistry SE! Unfortunately you answered pretty tricky question - OP's compound would be rather piezoelectric organometallic polymer than magnetostrictive alloy as this LiNb (misleading) symbol suggests, but even then your answer is interesting. $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Aug 26, 2015 at 0:48
  • $\begingroup$ Sorry for my mistake (I'm not well-versed in Chemistry at all), out of curiosity, what should I have written instead of LiNB? $\endgroup$ Aug 27, 2015 at 1:21
  • $\begingroup$ @At0micCyb0rg you wrote as it were and you did OK - one has to work with data he has - it's authors of this info who made it misleading. Also maybe I'll try to answer, or someone else - you should be patient here ;) $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Aug 27, 2015 at 1:49

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