Low-temperature synthesis of SrZrO3 nanocubes by the composite-hydroxide-mediated approach

• Published in: Journal of crystal growth Vol. 376; pp. 35 - 40
• Main Authors: Nakashima, Kouichi, Fujii, Ichiro, Wada, Satoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.08.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: A1. Nanostructures; A1. Nucleation; A2. Growth from solutions; B1. Perovskites; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Equations of state, phase equilibria, and phase transitions; Exact sciences and technology; General studies of phase transitions; Growth from solutions; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Methods of nanofabrication; Nanocomposites; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nucleation; Other topics in nanoscale materials and structures; Physics; B1. Perovskites; A2. Growth from solutions; A1. Nucleation; A1. Nanostructures; Crystal growth; Scanning electron microscopy; Hydroxides; Nucleation; Perovskites; XRD; Nanostructures; Dispersive spectrometry; Strontium Zirconates; Strontium; Zirconium; Composite materials; Zirconium oxide; Strontium compounds; Acetic acid; Scanning transmission electron microscopy; Nanostructured materials; Growth from solution; Nanocrystal; Nanomaterial synthesis
• ISSN: 0022-0248; 1873-5002
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2013.04.022

Strontium zirconate (SrZrO3) nanocubes were successfully synthesized by a composite-hydroxide-mediated (CHM) approach at low temperature using zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and strontium hydroxide (Sr(OH)2) as raw materials. The effect of the atomic ratio of Sr/Zr in the raw materials was investigated. Subsequently, an acetic acid treatment of the product was performed. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement confirmed perovskite SrZrO3 particles. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation, it was found that SrZrO3 nanocubes formed. These nanocubes tend to disperse as the atomic ratio of Sr/Zr in the raw material increased. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) revealed that the SrZrO3 nanocrystals had cube shape with sharp-edged corners when the Sr/Zr atomic ratio was 2/1. Observation via scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (STEM-EDX) showed that Sr, Zr, and O were homogeneously distributed across the nanocubes. These results confirmed that the nanocubes were composed of SrZrO3. In the formation process, the rapid nuclei of SrZrO3 formed at around 230°C, and crystals of SrZrO3 nanocubes grew. •SrZrO3 nanocubes were successfully synthesized by a CHM approach at low temperature.•STEM revealed that the SrZrO3 nanocrystals had cube shape with sharp-edged corners.•STEM-EDX showed that Sr, Zr, and O were homogeneously distributed across the nanocubes.•The rapid nuclei of SrZrO3 formed at around 230°C, and crystals of SrZrO3 nanocubes grew.