A role of lithiated sarcosine TFSI on the formation of single crystalline SrTiO3 nanocubes via hydrothermal method

• Single crystalline SrTiO3 nanocubes were prepared using lithiated sarcosine TFSI.
• Application of secondary amino acid based TFSI as capping agent is new approach.
• Lithiated sarcosine TFSI proposed as a new capping agent for the synthesis of ternary oxides.

Effective capping activity of lithiated sarcosine TFSI on the formation of single crystalline SrTiO3 nanocubes via hydrothermal method has been investigated. Lithiated sarcosine TFSI formation by zwitterionic transformation was confirmed by NMR and FTIR studies. 13C and 7Li NMR studies showed the stabilization of metal hydroxide anions by the secondary ammonium cations (–NH2+–) of lithiated sarcosine. The FESEM results revealed the formation of SrTiO3 nanocubes. TEM images showed the spherical and square shaped defects within the round edged cubic particles with the average size of 90 nm and SAED pattern indicates the single crystalinity. The crystalinity and nanocubic shape of SrTiO3 were strongly influenced by lithiated sarcosine TFSI. Hence, we propose lithiated sarcosine TFSI as an effective capping agent for the synthesis of single crystalline SrTiO3 nanocubes.