Phase-transformation induced growth mode change of solvothermal-fabricated YTaO4 nanostructures

Yttrium tantalate (YTaO4) nanostructures were solvothermally prepared at 240 °C without any additives. The quasi-square plate-like products were constructed by 50–70 nm cores and 80–100 nm nanorods with diameter of ~ 15 nm. The central part was formed by nanoparticle aggregation. The YTaO4 nanorods were formed by dissolution–recrystallization. Due to the difference of the crystal growth behavior between Y10Ta4O25 intermediate and YTaO4, the Y10Ta4O25–YTaO4 phase transformation was considered to be responsible for the formation of such exquisite structure. Nanorods grew on four perpendicular directions influenced by imperfect oriented-attachment. The luminescent and magnetic properties of as-prepared YTaO4 were investigated, which showed high luminescence quantum efficiency of 17.4% and weak ferromagnetic property.

► YTaO4 nanostructures were fabricated at low temperature by solvothermal method.
► Nanostructures were composed of an aggregated core and nanorod branches.
► The nanostructures were formed by phase transformation induced growth mode.