A general process to synthesize self-assembled shell-like (Ca0.61, Nd0.26)TiO3 clusters

Homogenous (Ca0.61, Nd0.26)TiO3 self-assembled shell-like clusters with serrated surface were synthesized by sol-gel method with one step. As the dried gel was heat-treated at 800 °C for 100 min with rising temperature, the shell-like clusters with perovskite structure were obtained, which were induced by the heat and polyacrylate. The size of shell-like clusters is about 2.5 μm. Selected area electron diffraction analysis demonstrated that the particles was polycrystalline. Possible reaction process in sol-gel and possible formation mechanism of the shell-like clusters were discussed.