Coprecipitation synthesis of nanosized Bi4Ti3O12 particles

Bismuth titanate Bi4Ti3O12 (BIT) ultrathin plates and nanosized powders were successfully prepared by a simple coprecipitation method, including the preparation of a Bi4Ti3O4(C4H9O)(4)(C2O4)(6)(.)7H(2)O (BITO) precursor and the calcination of BIT. Characterization studies were carried out using the as-dried precursor and calcined BIT by various techniques. Results indicate that the platelike BIT has a thickness of 3-10 nm and that the powders with an average particle size of less than 10nm can be obtained by ball milling the ultrathin plates.