Synthesis of nanotabular barium titanate via a hydrothermal route

As layer thickness of multilayer ceramic capacitors decreases, nanoparticles of high dielectric materials, especially BaTiO3, are needed. Tabular metal nanoparticles produce thin metal layers with low surface roughness via electrophoretic deposition. To achieve similar results in dielectric layers requires the synthesis and dispersion of tabular BaTiO3 nanoparticles. In the current study, the synthesis of BaTiO3 was investigated using a hydrothermal route. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy analyses show that the synthesized particles are single crystal with a (111) zone axis and a median thickness of 5.8 nm and face diameter of 27.1 nm. Particle growth is likely controlled by the formation of {111} twins and the synthesis pH, which stabilizes the {111} face during growth. With limited growth in the (111) direction, the particles develop a platelike morphology. Physical property characterization shows the powder is of high purity with low hydrothermal defect concentrations and controlled stoichiometry.