FORMATION AND STABILITY OF NH4TIOF3 MESOCRYSTALS

Abstract

An investigation is conducted into the growth and anisotropic dissolution of NH4TiOF3 mesocrystals, which are shown to partially convert to anatase TiO2 in an aqueous environment. We find that growth and dissolution are two competing processes when NH4TiOF3 mesocrystals are being formed. The parameters affecting formation of NH4TiOF3 mesocrystals are studied, including temperature, presence of surfactant, solution pH, and hydrophobicity of surfactant. Ferroelectricity of NH4TiOF3 mesocrystals is investigated by both computational study and experimental confirmation. The results suggest that spontaneous dipoles arising from ferroelectricity can also contribute to the attractive interparticle forces among the NH4TiOF3 nanocrystals and lead to the formation of NH4TiOF3 mesocrystals.