Surfactant-free synthesis of SrTiO3 hierarchical structures in ethanol/water mixed solvent at room temperature

Abstract

Perovskites are a family of important functional materials with excellent ferroelectric, dielectric, pyroelectric, piezoelectric, and electro-optic properties and potential for novel applications. The synthesis methodology for perovskites usually involves harsh conditions. Here, we report a facile new route for the synthesis of SrTiO₃ hierarchical structures by fast mixing SrCl₂·6H₂O aqueous solution and titanium isopropoxide ethanol solution at room temperature without using any structure-directing templates. The preparation of SrTiO₃ particles with different morphologies from cubic to starfish-like hierarchical structures is strongly dependent on the pH value of the reaction system and the volume ratio of water/ethanol. The formation mechanism of SrTiO₃ hierarchical structures is discussed. This work provides a green method for the synthesis of other perovskite materials in the future.