Morphology control of SrBi2Nb2O9 prepared by a modified chemical method

SrBi2NbO9 compounds were prepared through three methods: oxalate co-precipitation, molten salt synthesis and polymerizable complex. The effect of the molecular precursor route has also been investigated. For oxalate co-precipitation method, a solution obtained from acid oxalate, niobium oxide, bismuth nitrate and strontium nitrate are precipitated by ammoniac solution. Then, the precipitated sample is calcined at 1100?C. A methanol-citric acid solution of solution of NbCl5, ethylene glycol, bismuth and strontium nitrates were used as precursors. A black powder ash was crystallized by heat-treating at 1100?C. Molten salt technique using oxides and carbonate as starting materials and NaCl and KCl to form a reaction medium. The formation temperature was at 1110?C. Multiple characterizations mainly X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements have provided to validate the structural feature. Careful, X-ray diffraction analysis showed the presence of two-layered Aurivillius structure. The crystallite size is discussed by Scherrer and Williamson-Hall approaches. SEM images of SrBi2NbO9 ceramics showed plate-like, polygonal and structureless morphologies obtained at different synthesis conditions. Whatever the synthesis process, there is no change on the band of infrared spectra.