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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
The influence of Pb/Ti ratio on the particle size of hydrothermally derived lead titanate (PbTiO3) powders was investigated. Phase pure PbTiO3 powder was synthesized by reacting nanocrystalline TiC2 powder in a 1 m KOH solution for 15 h at 200°C with Pb/Ti ratios of 1 and 5. Faceted platelet particles with a low aspect ratio were formed in solutions with Pb/Ti ratios of 1 and 5. The observed particle size of PbTiO3 was 200 nm and larger when Pb/Ti = 1, while 50 - 100 nm sized particles formed when Pb/Ti = 5. In support of TEM observations, the BET specific surface area data increased from 4.4 m2/g to 7.3 m2/g as the Pb/Ti ratio was increased from I to 5. PbTiO3 particle size was controlled by either inhibiting or promoting dissolution-precipitation. Dissolution-precipitation in a high pH solution was inhibited by maintaining an excess of Pb ions in solution and it was promoted when input concentrations of Pb and Ti were equivalent.