Preparation of single crystalline Sr0.5Ba0.5Nb2O6 particles

Single crystalline and agglomerate-free ceramic particles are important for fabrication of grain-oriented ceramics by the self-assemble processes. In the present work, preparation of single crystalline Sr_0.5Ba_0.5Nb₂O₆ particles was first explored by traditional solid-state reaction and molten-salt synthesis methods. The results show that the particles synthesized by solid-state reaction were spherical, hard-aggregated and polycrystalline. Molten salt synthesis provides sub-micrometer anisotropic single crystalline Sr_0.5Ba_0.5Nb₂O₆ particles and the morphology of a particle may be adjusted by changing synthesis conditions. The synthesized particles have uniform size distribution and are easily dispersed, thus may suit self-assemble processes to prepare grain-oriented ceramics. Furthermore, effects of synthesis conditions in molten salt synthesis, on the phase formation, morphology and size distribution of SBN particles were investigated.