Mechanical force-driven growth of elongated BaTiO3 lead-free ferroelectric nanowires

This work demonstrates a highly efficient method for large-scale synthesis of elongated BaTiO3 nanowires via a novel stirring hydrothermal process. Compared with conventional hydrothermal reaction, one-dimensional (1D) lead-free BaTiO3 nanowires can be realized at an even lower temperature with a shorter dwelling time. Results suggest that the mechanical force-driven stirring process improved the diffusion and surface reaction rate of BaTiO3 nanocrystal growth in the solution phase, apparently, leading to the growth of the BaTiO3 nanowires via an oriented attachment mechanism. Meanwhile, to the best of our knowledge, this method is also the first reported protocol which is capable to grow elongated BaTiO3 nanowires with length up to tens of micrometers. This research outcome provides a promising option for low cost, high-throughput fabrication of 1D nanostructure in respect of mass-manufacturing.