Molten salt synthesis of single-crystalline K2Ti6O13 annular nanostructures

Single-crystalline K2Ti6O13 ring-like structures have been synthesized via a simple molten salt method without any templates and surfactants. The annular structures have several different types, such as nanoring, wheel-like and diskette-like ring. Each type of rings was characterized individually by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). These annular structures are formed by the loop-by-loop self-coiling of K2Ti6O13 nanobelts in the ring plane. The driving force of self-coiling is suggested to minimize the local electrostatic energy introduced by spontaneous polarization.