Synthesis and characterization of K(Ta_xNb_1-x)O ₃ particles by high temperature mixing method under hydrothermal and solvothermal conditions

KTa_xNb_1-xO₃ (KTN) particles with an orthorhombic perovskite structure were synthesized via a high temperature mixing method (HTMM) under hydrothermal and solvothermal conditions. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and high-resolution transmission electron microcopy (HRTEM). The influences of alkaline concentration and Ta doping amounts on the phase structure and morphology of the obtained powders were investigated. The results showed that KTN powders could be solvothermally prepared when the KOH concentration is as low as 0.5 M. In comparison with the hydrothermal process, supercritical isopropanol plays an important role in synthesizing KTN particles under milder conditions. The KTa_0.4Nb_0.6O₃ particles solvothermally synthesized in isopropanol are made of well crystallized and single crystalline particles with a size of about 100-200 nm. Room temperature PL studies excited at different wavelengths reveal five emission bands centered at about 421 nm, 446 nm, 468 nm, 488 nm, and 498 nm, respectively. The supercritical process proposed here provides a new potential route for synthesizing other perovskite-type materials.