Simple hydrothermal synthesis and sintering of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 nanowires

Single-crystalline Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT) nanowires, with diameters of 100 nm and lengths of about 4 μm, were synthesized by using a simple hydrothermal method. Phase composition, morphology and microstructure of the as-prepared powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The effects of reaction temperature and reaction time on precipitation of the NBT nanowires were investigated. It was found that reaction time significantly influenced the growth behavior of the powders in the hydrothermal system. Based on the experimental results, the one-dimensional (1D) growth mechanism of the NBT was governed by a dissolution–recrystallization mechanism. NBT ceramics derived from the nanowires showed typical characteristics of relaxor ferroelectrics, with diffuseness exponent γ of as high as 1.73.

► Single-crystalline NBT nanowires were synthesized using a simple hydrothermal route.
► Reaction time can significantly influence the growth behavior of powders.
► 1D growth mechanism of NBT corresponds to the dissolution–recrystallization mechanism.
► NBT ceramics derived from nanowires showed typical characteristics of relax or ferroelectrics.