Aerosol-Assisted Combustion Synthesis of Single-Crystalline NaSbO3 Nanoplates: A Topotactic Template for Ilmenite AgSbO3

As properties of nanocrystals are size- and shape-dependent, synthetic routes that provide fine control over these structural parameters are required. Traditional solid-state reactions often yield a variety of crystallite morphologies and sizes due to limited control over precursor distribution. In ultrasonic spray synthesis, particle formation occurs within spatially and temporally confined droplets, and, as we show, nanoplates of ilmenite NaSbO3 can be prepared by salt-assisted aerosol combustion. The NaSbO3 nanoplates were used as topotactic templates to synthesize AgSbO3 visible-light photocatalysts. The absolute conduction and valence band positions of AgSbO3 nanoplates were deduced by UV-photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. A comparative analysis of model photocatalytic reactions revealed that the surface chemistry and particle morphology were influential in the photocatalytic activity. Significantly, the integration of combustion chemistry and molten fluxes into ultrasonic spray syntheses should provide a general platform toward compositionally complex oxides as shape-defined nanocrystals.