Rochelle salt nanocrystals embedded in porous glass

Rochelle salt nanocrystals are grown in the small pores of a porous glass (Corning porous VYCOR glass, average pore diameter 6 nm) and silica-gels with two different pore sizes, 20 nm and 100 nm. Crystallization characteristics of Rochelle salt nanocrystals are studied by X-ray diffraction method. We also measure dielectric property, /sup 1/H NMR relaxation, and IR reflectance of the nanometer sized Rochelle salt crystals embedded in porous glass. Results of nanocrystals are compared with bulk Rochelle salt and differences in the observed properties are explained in the light of size effects of the ferroelectric material. A possible application of the new material form is found.