In situ growth BaTiO ₃ nanocubes and their superlattice from an aqueous process

Ordered aggregated BaTiO ₃ nanocubes with a narrow size distribution were obtained in an aqueous process by using bis(ammonium lactate) titanium dihydroxide (TALH) as Ti source in the presence of oleic acid and tert-butylamine. Kinetics of the formation of BaTiO ₃ nanocubes indicated that an in situ growth mechanism was dominant and the superlattice of nanocubes formed in situ through the growth of BaTiO ₃ nanoparticles in Ti-based hydrous gel. The size and morphology of nanocubes were controlled by tuning the concentration and molar ratio of surfactants. A novel growth model dependant on the structure of Ti precursor for the formation and morphology control of BaTiO ₃ nanocubes and their superlattice was demonstrated.