Barium carbonate phase on the surfaces of barium titanate particles and in situ transmission electron microscopy observation of its decomposition

A BaCO3 phase is found on the surfaces of hydrothermally synthesized BaTiO3 particles; it occurs as aggregates or small protuberances. A small proportion of the phase decomposes to BaO crystallites when heated by a convergent electron beam in a transmission electron microscope. The BaO and BaCO3 crystallites disappear when they are irradiated successively by the convergent electron beam. The BaO crystallites and the BaCO3 phase sublimate and/or react with BaTiO3 crystals whose surface layers are deficient in Ba2+ ions.