Synthesis of platelet SrTiO/sub 3/ by epitaxial growth on Sr/sub 3/Ti/sub 2/O/sub 7/ core particles

A method for synthesis of platelet seeds by epitaxial growth of SrTiO/sub 3/ on Sr/sub 3/Ti/sub 2/O/sub 7/ core particles is reported. The aim of this study was to control the morphology, particle size, phase and chemical purity of SrTiO/sub 3/ seeds. Strontium titanate seeds will be used as templates in layered manufacturing to grow large lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) crystals within a polycrystalline matrix. Anisometric single crystal particles of Sr/sub 3/Ti/sub 2/O/sub 7/ were synthesized in molten KCl salt at 1200-1300/spl deg/C. Plate-like morphology with a high aspect ratio of 7-10 was obtained. The XRD and SEM revealed a well-developed single crystal structure with rectangular faces. The plate-like Sr/sub 3/Ti/sub 2/O/sub 7/ particles were then reacted with TiO/sub 2/ in a second molten salt synthesis to prepare SrTiO/sub 3/. Platelet <001> SrTiO/sub 3/ particles with rectangular faces having an edge length of 10-40 /spl mu/m and a thickness of 1-4 /spl mu/m were obtained. The effects of processing steps on the morphology, particles size, and composition of the platelets are presented. The high aspect ratio SrTiO/sub 3/ platelets are suitable template candidates to achieve textured PMN-PT ceramics.