Molten salt synthesis of ZnTiO3 powders with around 100 nm grain size crystalline morphology

The high pure hexagonal phase ZnTiO3 powders with around 100 nm grain size crystalline morphology were synthesized by a molten salt method. The formation of ZnTiO3 phase takes place above 650 degrees C and the hexagonal phase ZnTiO3 stability region is extended from 650 to 900 degrees C in KCl-NaCl salt system. Compared to the conventional solid phase process, the formation temperature of hexagonal ZuTiO(3) is lower and the hexagonal phase ZnTiO3 stability region is wider. The ZnTiO3 crystalline powders prepared by the molten salt method is indicative of more uniform grain size distribution and smaller grain size (the average grain size is about 100 nm). The molten salt method has such advantages as simple instrumentation, low temperature and short holding time, and can be available to a large-scale production easily. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.