Effects of microwave heating on sonocatalyzed hydrothermal preparation of lead titanate nanopowders

Abstract

Microwave heating has been applied in the sonocatalyzed hydrothermal preparation of tetragonal phase-pure lead titanate nanopowders with stoichiometric chemical composition. The effects and merits of microwave heating on the synthetic process and the obtained powder characteristics are demonstrated. These include a reduction in reaction temperature to 95(± 5)°, which is the temperature of the water bath; a reduction of tetragonal distortion; and an improved regularity of the crystal habit. These non-thermal effects may be accounted for by a rapid mass transport induced by microwave electric field. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.