Obtaining a novel crystalline/amorphous core/shell structure in barium titanate nanocrystals by an innovative one-step approach

Abstract

The synthesis temperature and purity of core/shell nanocrystals are key challenges facing the scientific community. Moreover, core/shell structures usually need a multi-step synthesis pathway to be fabricated. This work aims to address these challenges by developing an innovative one-step synthesis pathway for obtaining carbonate-free BaTiO₃ core/shell nanocrystals at low temperature. The results show that very fine BaTiO₃ core/shell nanocrystals (<11 nm) free from any by-products such as BaTi₂O₅ and BaCO₃ are synthesized at 323 K (50 °C). This newly developed structure can significantly reduce the sintering temperature of the nanocrystals and can be beneficial in fabricating the ceramic parts at lower sintering temperatures.