Preparation and characterization of (Zr0.8,Sn0.2)TiO4 nano crystals by hydrothermal-molten salt method

The pure phase (Zr 0.8 ,Sn 0.2 )TiO 4 nano crystals have been prepared by hydrothermal-molten salt method. The effects of the pH of solvent system, the calcinations temperature and the ratio of composite molten salt on the phase composition and crystalline morphology have been investigated. The results show that the high pure phase (Zr 0.8 ,Sn 0.2 )TiO 4 nano crystals with regular morphology were prepared at 1000 o C in NaCl-KCl salt system. The synthesized temperature of single phase (Zr 0.8 ,Sn 0.2 )TiO 4 is lower and the crystal growth is more complete compared with the hydrothermal-solid state method. The rod-like crystalline grain are evenly distributed with a diameter of about 50–60 nm and can be used as start materials for preparing ZST textured ceramics. The (Zr 0.8 ,Sn 0.2 )TiO 4 nano crystal has a certain photocatalytic effect and good UV shielding performance. Highlights (Zr 0.8 ,Sn 0.2 )TiO 4 nano powders were prepared by hydrothermal-molten salt method. Synthetic nano powder can be used as the starting material for preparing ZST textured ceramics. The synthesized powder has a certain degree of photocatalysis and good UV shielding performance. The synthesized powder is rod-like crystal grains, uniformly distributed, with a diameter of about 50–60 nm.