Hierarchical PbTiO3 Nanostructures Grown on SrTiO3 Substrates

A synthesis route, based on a hydrothermal treatment of an amorphous PbTiO 3 precursor at 180 °C, has been developed to grow hierarchical PbTiO 3 nanostructures on single-crystal SrTiO 3 substrates. Initially, highly oriented PbTiO 3 platelets grew parallel to the ⟨100⟩ substrate orientations. PbTiO 3 nanorods with squared cross-section were shown to grow perpendicular out of the platelets. The length of the rods could be controlled by the vertical position of the substrate in the autoclave. Furthermore, changing the crystallographic orientation of the substrate resulted in a systematic change in the orientation of the nanorods. Finally, growth of PbTiO 3 nanorods perpendicular to the substrate surface was demonstrated by hindering the initial growth of PbTiO 3 platelets.