Solvothermal synthesis of KNbO<sub>3</sub> nanocubes using various organic solvents

Abstract

Potassium niobate (KNbO3) nanocubes were synthesized via a solvothermal method using various organic solvents as the reaction medium. The solvothermal synthesis was conducted in different alcohols and ether-type solvents, and in mixtures of alcohol and ether-type solvents. The starting materials for the solvothermal synthesis were niobium oxide and potassium hydroxide. X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of perovskite-structured KNbO3. The morphology of KNbO3 was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry was used to determine the elements present in the KNbO3. The KNbO3 nanocubes were the same length as the alkyl chain in the solvent that was used. The STEM and EDX analyses indicated that three elements, potassium, niobium, and oxygen, were present in the KNbO3 nanocubes, and that these elements were distributed homogeneously throughout the nanocubes.