Mechanical force-driven growth of elongated BaTiO3 lead-free ferroelectric nanowires

Abstract This work demonstrates a highly efficient method for large-scale synthesis of elongated BaTiO 3 nanowires via a novel stirring hydrothermal process. Compared with conventional hydrothermal reaction, one-dimensional (1D) lead-free BaTiO 3 nanowires can be realized at an even lower temperature with a shorter dwelling time. Results suggest that the mechanical force-driven stirring process improved the diffusion and surface reaction rate of BaTiO 3 nanocrystal growth in the solution phase, apparently, leading to the growth of the BaTiO 3 nanowires via an oriented attachment mechanism. Meanwhile, to the best of our knowledge, this method is also the first reported protocol which is capable to grow elongated BaTiO 3 nanowires with length up to tens of micrometers. This research outcome provides a promising option for low cost, high-throughput fabrication of 1D nanostructure in respect of mass-manufacturing.