Morphology-controlled synthesis of lead titanate powders

A simple and high-yield synthetic route was developed to synthesize the different-shaped PbTiO3 powders. Spherical, rod, and cubic shapes of PbTiO3 were achieved from the precursors of spherical and rod TiO2/K2Ti4O9 compounds with PbO in the NaCl-KCl melts at the temperatures from 700 to 900 degrees C, respectively. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the structure and morphology. Moreover, the formation mechanism of PbTiO3 with controlled morphologies was analyzed. PbO diffused to the TiO2 surface in the molten salts, followed with the nucleation and growth of PbTiO3; thus, morphology control of PbTiO3 was realized through controlling the shapes of the titanium source. Raman spectra of the as-synthesized PbTiO3 showed mode-softening behaviors of E(1TO) related to the weakening in ferroelectricity.