KTa0.4Nb0.6O3 nanoparticles synthesized through solvothermal method

Abstract

Potassium tantalate niobate (KTa_0.4Nb_0.6O₃, KTN) nanoparticles of perovskite structure were success-sfully synthesized by a solvothermal method. The KTN nanoparticles synthesized at 250 ! for 8 h with 1 to 4 M KOH concentration using isopropyl alcohol [(CH₃)₂ CHOH] as the solvent was composed of a single phase of cubic perovskite structure. Futhermore, the KTN powers synthesized at the same conditions besides of using (CH₃)₂CHOH/H₂O as a solvent compose of a single phase of tetragonal perovskite structure. The nanoparticles exhibit a mixture of cubic and prism-like shapes with lengths of 100 nm to 500 nm and average cross sections of 200×200 nm². The solvent dependence of the powder formation is discussed. X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction results show that the powders have the needed tetragonal perovskite structure. The band gap of KTN nanoparticles is determined to be 3.26 eV from the optical absorption spectra.

Keywords

Kta_xNb_{1 -x}O₃, solvothermal, nanoparticles