Preparation of spherical BiLaTiO nanocrystals by a sol-gel inverse mini-emulsion approach.

Monodisperse and spherical lanthanum bismuth titanate (BiLaTiO, BLT) nanocrystals with an average size of ∼60 nm were synthesized by in situ crystallization of spherical gel particles (∼120 nm in diameter) at elevated temperatures in a carbonate environment. The gel particles were obtained by a sol-gel inverse mini-emulsion manipulation and a gelation process at 60°C. X-ray diffraction technique and Raman spectrum measurement were used to trace the formation of crystalline phases in the gel particles during heat treatment, and single-phase BLT nanocrystals were obtained after firing at 500°C for 4 h. The morphology and size of the gel particles and BLT nanocrystals were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The possible mechanism underlying the formation of spherical BLT nanocrystals through a sol-gel inverse mini-emulsion approach was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]