Synthesis of barium fluoride nanoparticles from microemulsion

The cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/2-octanol/water microemulsion system was used to synthesize barium fluoride nanoparticles. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the products were single phase. The results of scanning electron microscopy and calculations using the Scherrer equation from the line widths of the XRD have been used to estimate the average particle sizes of the powder products. The results showed that the nanoparticle size was affected by water content and surfactant (CTAB) concentration. As water content decreases from 14.2 to 9.47% (w/w), the particle size decreases from 75 to 40 rim. In addition, increasing the reaction times from 5 to 120 min increases the particle size from 75 to 150 rim, and increasing the amount of surfactant decreases the size of the particle. Luminescence spectra of the BaF2:Ce nanoparticles are also discussed.

Synthesis and fluorescence of europium-doped barium fluoride cubic nanocolumns

Europium-doped barium fluoride cubic nanocolumns were synthesized from the quaternary water in oil reverse microemulsions In this process, the aqueous cores of water/cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)/n-butanol/n-octane reverse microemulsions were used as microreactors for the precipitation of europium doped barium fluoride. XRD analysis shows that under the dopant concentration of 0.06% (molar fraction), the products are single phase. The result products are cubic column-like with about 30 similar to 50 nm edge length of cross section, and about 200 nm of length obtained from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Under the 0.06 % (molar fraction) of dopant concentration I the fluorescence of Eu2+ and Eu3+ under the 589 of excitation wavelength is observed.

Synthesis and fluorescence properties of Eu2+-doped KMgF3 nanoparticles

The phase diagram of a cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide( CTAB)/n-butanol/n-octane/KNO3-Mg( NO3)(2) system was drawn. Nanoparticles of Eu2+-doped KMgF3 were prepared from the quaternary microemulsions of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide(CTAB), n-butanol, n-octane and water. The X-ray diffraction(XRD) patterns were indexed to a pure KMgF3 cubic phase. The environmental scanning electron microscopic (ESEM) images show the presence of spherical Eu2+-doped KMgF3 nanoparticles with a diameter of ca. 20 nm. The emission of KMgF3: Eu2+ nanoparticles peaks at 360 mn. The excitation band was observed at 250 nm with a blue shift of ca. 70 nm compared with that of KMgF3: Eu2+ single crystal. The preparation method of nano-KMgF3: Eu2+/PMMA composite films was inquired into.

Comparative study of Barium Fluoride thin films produced by ion-beam sputtering and thermal evaporation

Coatings and filters for spaceflight far-infrared components require a robust, non-absorptive low-index thin film material to contrast with the typically higher refractive index infrared materials. Barium fluoride is one such material for the 10 to 20µm wavelength infrared region, however its optical and mechanical properties vary depending on the process used to deposit it in thin film form. Thin films of dielectric produced by thermal evaporation are well documented as having a lower packing density and refractive index than bulk material. The porous and columnar micro structure of these films causes possible deterioration of their performance in varied environmental conditions, primarily because of the moisture absorption. Dielectric thin films produced by the more novel technique of ion-beam sputtering are denser with no columnar micro structure and have a packing density and refractive index similar to the bulk material. A comparative study of Barium Fluoride (BaF2) thin films made by conventional thermal evaporation and ion-beam sputtering is reported. Films of similar thicknesses are deposited on Cadmium Telluride and Germanium substrates. The optical and mechanical properties of these films are then examined. The refractive index n of the films is obtained from applying the modified Manifacier's evvelope method to the spectral measurements made on a Perkin Elmer 580 spectrophotometer. An estimate is also made of the value of the extinction coefficient k in the infrared wavelength transparent region of the thin film. In order to study the mechanical properties of the BaF2 films, and evaluate their usefulness in spaceflight infrared filters and coatings, the thin film samples are subjected to MIL-F-48616 environmental tests. Comparisons are made of their performance under these tests.

Sonochemical synthesis and luminescence properties of single-crystalline BaF2:Eu3+ nanospheres

BaF2 nanocrystals doped with 5.0 mol% Eu3+ has been successfully synthesized via a facile, quick and efficient ultrasonic solution route employing the reactions between Ba(NO3)(2), Eu(NO3)(3) and KBF4 under ambient conditions. The product was characterized via X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron micrographs (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron micrographs (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The ultrasonic irradiation has a strong effect on the morphology of the BaF2:Eu3+ particles. The caddice-sphere-like particles with an average diameter of 250 nm could be obtained with ultrasonic irradiation, whereas only olive-like particles were produced without ultrasonic irradiation. The results of XRD indicate that the obtained BaF2:Eu3+ nanospheres crystallized well with a cubic structure. The PL spectrum shows that the BaF2:Eu3+ nanospheres has the characteristic emission of Eu3+ D-5(0)-F-7(J) (J = 1-4) transitions, with the magnetic dipole D-5(0)-F-7(1) allowed transition (590 nm) being the most prominent emission line.

Surprising arching sheet-like dendrites growing from BaF2 nanocubes

BaF2 nanocubes were prepared from quaternary reverse micelles of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), n-butanol, n-octane, and water. Interestingly, there are arching sheet-like dendrites growing between two neighbouring sides of these cubes. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the products were BaF2 single phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or transition electron microscopy (TEM) was used to estimate the size of the final products. The results showed that the shape and size of particles were strongly dependent on the reaction conditions, such as the temperature and reaction time. When the reaction temperature was 25 degreesC, we obtained cuboid-like particles with 'clean' surfaces (no dendrites growing on them), and when the temperature was 35 degreesC, we obtained nanocubes with dendrites growing from them between the neighbouring sides. The influence of reaction time at a temperature of 35 degreesC is also discussed.

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of erbium-doped BaF2 nanoparticles

Erbium-doped BaF2 nanoparticles were prepared from the microemulsion of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), n-butanol, n-octane and water. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were indexed to a pure BaF2 cubic phase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that BaF2 products were monodispersed with 15-20 nm in size at the dopant concentration of 0.06 mol%. At higher dopant concentration, there was no significant increase in particle size, but more polydispersed. Photoluminescence (PL) properties of the final products were examined. We can observe fluorescence of Er3+ around 1540 nm and with the increase of dopant concentration, the fluorescent intensity increases.

XPS study on water corrosion of fluorzirconate glasses and their protection by a layer of surface modified tin dioxide nanoparticles

The surface corrosion process associated with the hydrolysis of fluorozirconate glass, Z-BLAN (53ZrF(4), 20BaF(2), 20NaF, 4LaF(2), 3AlF(3)), and the corrosion protection efficiency of a nanocrystalline transparent SnO2 layer were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The tin oxide film was deposited by the sol-gel dip-coating process in the presence of Tiron(R) as particle surface modifier agent. The chemical bonding structure and composition of the surface region of coated and non-coated ZBLAN were studied before water contact and after different immersion periods (5-30 min). In contrast to the effects occurring for non-coated glass, where the surface undergoes a rapid selective dissolution of the most soluble species inducing the formation of a new surface phase consisting of stable zirconium oxyfluoride, barium fluoride and lanthanum fluoride species, the results for the SnO2-coated glass showed that the hydrolytic attack induces a filling of the film nanopores by dissolved glass material and the formation of tin oxylluoride and zirconium oxyfluoride species. This process results in a modified film, which acts as a hermetic diffusion barrier protecting efficiently the glass surface. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis of BaSO4 nanoparticles by precipitation method using sodium hexa metaphosphate as a stabilizer

We describe the synthesis and structure of Barium sulfate nanoparticles by precipitation method in the presence of water soluble inorganic stabilizing agent, sodium hexametaphosphate, (NaPO3)(6). The structural parameters were refined by the Rietveld refinement method using powder X-ray diffraction data. Barium sulfate nanoparticles were crystallized in the orthorhombic structure with space group Pbnm (No. 62) having the lattice parameters a = 7.215(1) (angstrom), b = 8.949(1) (angstrom) and c = 5.501 (1) (angstrom) respectively. Transmission electron microscopy study reveals that the nanoparticles are size range, 30-50 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed distinct absorption due to the SO42- moiety at 1115 and 1084 cm(-1) indicating formation of barium sulfate nanoparticles free from the phosphate group from the stabilizer used in the synthesis. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An in situ ionic-liquid-assisted synthetic approach to iron fluoride/graphene hybrid nanostructures as superior cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

A tactful ionic-liquid (IL)-assisted approach to in situ synthesis of iron fluoride/graphene nanosheet (GNS) hybrid nanostructures is developed. To ensure uniform dispersion and tight anchoring of the iron fluoride on graphene, we employ an IL which serves not only as a green fluoride source for the crystallization of iron fluoride nanoparticles but also as a dispersant of GNSs. Owing to the electron transfer highways created between the nanoparticles and the GNSs, the iron fluoride/GNS hybrid cathodes exhibit a remarkable improvement in both capacity and rate performance (230 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 C and 74 mAh g^-1 at 40 C). The stable adhesion of iron fluoride nanoparticles on GNSs also introduces a significant improvement in long-term cyclic performance (115 mAh g^-1 after 250 cycles even at 10 C). The superior electrochemical performance of these iron fluoride/GNS hybrids as lithium ion battery cathodes is ascribed to the robust structure of the hybrid and the synergies between iron fluoride nanoparticles and graphene. © 2013 American Chemical Society.

Stabilization of fluoroindate glasses by magnesium fluoride

This paper describes the stabilizing effect of MgF2 on the binary system InF3-BaF2. A complete investigation of the In-Ba-Mg system led to samples up to 5 mm in thickness. Further optimization of this system was achieved by incorporation of other fluorides, resulting in increased resistance to devitrification. Thermal and optical data are reported.

氟化物无机纳米粒子的制备及其稀土掺杂体系的光谱性质

对于纳米复合材料来说，首要解决的问题就是光散射。光散射现象主要是粒子尺寸以及粒子与基质材料折射率的差异引起的。对于小粒子（＜25nm），纳米粒子与基质材料之间的折射率差异不会造成明显的光散射现象，但对于较大粒子来说，为避免明显的光散射现象的发生，二者之间的折射必须吻合。由瑞利散射公式计算得知，当粒子直径大到100nm时，粒子与基质之间的折射率差值必须在0.02之内。因此，解决复合材料光散射问题有两种途径：尽量减小纳米粒子尺寸；选择折射率匹配良好的氟化物和聚合物分别作光学活性组分的基质和材料的基底材料。由于微乳液法合成纳米粒子条件温和、设备简单，所合成纳米粒子尺寸可控。本文首先研究了微乳液结构和性质，采用微乳液法合成氟化物纳米粒子，并研究了其稀土掺杂体系的光学性质。对于微乳液结构和性质的研究，本文绘制了十六烷基三甲基嗅化钱（CTAB）／正丁醇（n-C_4H_9OH）／正辛烷（n-C_8H_(18)）／水（或NH4F溶液、或Ba(NO_3)_2溶液、或KNO_3-Mg(NO_3)_2混合溶液）四组分微乳体系的三元相图，观察了电导率随水（或豁溶液）含量变化的规律，很好地印证了微乳液体系的相行为。实验发现，在这四个四元体系的相图中，Ba(NO_3)_2溶液体系的油包水区域面积最大，纯水体系水包油微乳区面积最小，我们分析认为水包油微乳区面积的变化是由于体系中加入离子后对表面活性剂阳离子的静电作用所引起的。采用十六烷基三甲基澳化按（CTAB）／正丁醇／正辛烷／水体系合成了KMgF_3以及KMgF_3:Eu~(2+)纳米粒子。XRD分析表明所合成纳米粒子为立方KMgF_3单相；环境扫描电子显微镜（ESEM）分析得到所合成KMgF_3:Eu~(2+)纳米粒子粒径约为20nm。KMgF_3:Eu~(2+)纳米粒子光谱研究发现其发射峰位于360nm附近，其激发峰位于250nm附近，较KMgF_3:Eu~(2+)单晶的激发峰峰蓝移了约80nm。对KMgF_3:Eu~(2+)纳米粒子激发峰蓝移的机理进行了初步探讨。采用CTAB/2-丁醇／水微乳体系合成出球形BaF_2纳米粒子，XRD和ICP数据显示样品为纯BaF_2相；FTIR谱图证明体系中没有有机物质的存在。将由纳米粒子分散到水中所形成的胶体滴到铜网上，干燥后发现所合成粒子有自组装的特性摘要且粒子自组装形状因粒子尺寸以及样品制备过程而异。粒子的自组装完全是自发的，没有任何的化学试剂对粒子进行包覆，也没对粒子施加除超声分散之外的任何外力。当将一滴胶体溶液直接滴到铜网上，干燥后我们得到粒子的圆形自组装，较大粒子分布在外围形成一个圆，较小粒子分布在圆的内部形成环；我们将一滴BaF_2纳米粒子胶体溶液滴加到铜网上，待干燥后滴加第二滴，重复此操作两次，这样铜网上共滴加的胶体溶液为3滴，此时我们得到粒子的双平行线型组装；直接滴加3滴BaF_2纳米粒子胶体溶液到铜网上，干燥后得粒子的桶状自组装。采用CTAB／正丁醇／正辛烷／水体系于35℃下合成带有枝晶的BaF_2纳米立方。这些枝晶生长在纳米立方的两个相邻面之间呈片状弧形。粉末XRD分析表明，体系为BaF_2单相且结晶良好；用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）对粒子进行分析发现，所得纳米立方边长为400-450nm；FTIR分析表明，经处理后样品中没有有机物质残存；对枝晶的能谱分析（EDS）分析表明，枝晶中只有Ba和F两种元素而未发现C元素存在。这说明，立方上所生长的枝晶为纯BaF_2产物而非有机物质所形成的。试验发现，所合成粒子的尺寸和形状依赖于反应温度和反应时间。采用士一述体系，于25℃下反应，可得到横截面边长40nm，长200nm的立方柱状纳米粒子，并且未见枝晶。从不同反应时间所合成粒子的形状上我们可以估计纳米立方以及枝晶的住：长过程。采用CTAB／正丁醇／正辛烷／水体系首次合成了BaF_2:Er纳米粒子，并研究了掺杂浓度对粒子红外发光的影响，XRD分析表明所合成BaF_2:Er纳米粒子为BaF_2立方相，物相纯净，结晶良好；TEM分析表明在掺杂浓度为6mol％时，粒子尺寸为15-20nm，士曾大粒子的掺杂浓度（8，10和12mol％）下，其尺寸和形状无明显改变，但粒子团聚现象严重。粒子在氢离子激光器488nm激发下的荧光（PL）光谱显示，随粒子掺杂浓度的增大，其发光强度增强，半峰宽加宽。研究了BoF_2:Er纳米粒子尺寸对其发光强度的影响，通过调节体系中水含量以达到控制粒子尺寸的目的。在体系中水含量。分别为5，8，15的条件「分别合成出平均粒径约为8，10和20.5nm的粒子。从粒子的激光粒度分布图中我们可得到粒子的平均尺寸。从粒子的XRD图中我们可以发现，随粒子粒径的减小，粉末的衍射峰出现偏移的情况。对于不同种纳米粒子，粒子粒径越小，衍射峰偏移越严重；对于相同的粒子，衍射角度越大，衍射峰偏移的越严重。从三种粒子的红峰的半峰宽和有效半峰宽越宽，对于8nm粒径的粒子，我们得到其最大半峰宽为145nm或有效半峰宽173nm。而且随粒子粒径的减小，其发射峰出现红移的现象。采用CTAB／正丁醇／正辛烷／水体系首次合成了CeF_3以及掺杂浓度为17，25，30，42和50mol％的CeF_3:Lu纳米粒子。XRD分析表明，所合成纳米粒子为CeF_3六角相，物相纯净，结晶良好，即使在高的掺杂浓度下（50mol％）体系中一也无其他杂质相的存在。环境扫描电子显微镜（ESEM-FEG）分析表明，所合成CeF_3纳米粒子粒径为巧一20nm，Lu的掺入对粒子的形状和尺寸影响不明显，但在较高的掺杂浓度下粒子团聚现象严重。粒子的荧光光谱表明，CeF_3以及Lu：CeF_3纳米粒子在254nm的激发波长下的发射光谱从290nm到400nm的宽带发射，发射峰位于325nm，较单晶体的发射峰红移约30nm；Lu的掺入有利于提高CeF_3纳米粒子的发光强度，随Lu掺入量的增大，粒子的发光强度出现先增后减的情况，在掺杂浓度为30mol％时，我们得到CeF_3纳米粒子的最大发射，但在50mol％的掺杂浓度下的粒子的发射强度仍要比未掺杂体系的发光强度要强。325nln监测粒子的激发光谱是从200nm到350nm的宽带吸收，激发峰峰位于260nm左右。比CeF_3单晶体的280nm激发峰蓝移了20nm左右。而且粒子的激发光谱中未见长波方向上的肩峰，说明粒子中CeF_3纳米粒子结晶良好，且体系中氧含量低。采用自创建一步原位聚合的方法合成了聚合物包覆的纳米粒子，并采用本体聚合的方法合成复合材料。综上所述，本文采用微乳液法合成了不同的氟化物纳米粒子，并研究了其稀土掺杂体系的光学特性，为聚合物基复合材料的制备以及应用奠定了可靠的实验基础。

Shape and Phase-Controlled Synthesis of KMgF3 Colloidal Nanocrystals via Microwave Irradiation

In this paper, we present a facile one-step route to controlled synthesis of colloidal KMgF3 nanocrystals via the thermolysis of metal trifluoroacetate precursors in combined solvents (OA/OM) using microwave irradiation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were employed to characterize the samples. Only through the variation of the OA/OM ratio, can the phase and shape of nanocrystals be readily controlled, resulting in the formation of well-defined near-spherical nanoparticles, and nanoplates of cubic-phased KMgF3, as well as nanorods of tetragonal-phased MgF2, and a possible mechanism has been proposed to elucidate this effect. Furthermore, all these samples in this system can be well dispersed in nonpolar solvents such as cyclohexane to form stable and clear colloidal solutions, due to the successful coating of organic surfactants (OA/OM) on the nanocrystal surface.

Synthesis of mesoporous YF3 nanoflowers via solvent extraction route

Mesoporous YF3 nanoflowers were successfully prepared via solvent extraction route. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations indicated that these nanoflowers with uneven porous architectures had a spherical shape and were consisted of many YF3 nanosheets with a thickness of about 15 not. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis was used to check the chemical composition and purity of the products. YF3 nanoflowers had bimodal mesoporous distribution and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 116 m(2)/g.

Bottom up strategies for the morphology control of BaTiO3 particulates

As propriedades funcionais dos materiais ferroeléctricos tais como a polarização reversível, piroelectricidade, piezoelectricidade, elevada actividade óptica não linear e comportamento dieléctrico não linear são fundamentais para a sua aplicação em sensores, microactuadores, detectores de infravermelhos, filtros de fase de microondas e memórias não-voláteis. Nos últimos anos, motivado pelas necessidades industriais de redução do tamanho dos dispositivos microelectrónicos, aumentando a eficiência volumétrica, tem sido feito um grande esforço ao nível da investigação para desenvolver estruturas ferroeléctricas à escala micro- e nano- métrica. É sabido que a redução de tamanho em materiais ferroeléctricos afecta significamente as suas propriedades. Neste sentido e considerando que foi previsto teoreticamente por cálculos ab initio que estruturas do tipo nanocilindros e nanodiscos apresentariam um novo tipo de ordem ferroeléctrica e, na expectativa de alcançar conhecimento para o desenvolvimento de uma nova geração de dispositivos microelectróncos, existe um grande interesse em desenvolver métodos de fabrico de nanoestruturas ferroeléctricas unidimensionais (1D) tais como nanocilindros e nanotubos. As estratégias de fabrico de nanoestruturas 1D até agora descritas na literatura indicam claramente as dificuldades inerentes à sua preparação. Existem duas grandes vias de síntese destas nanoestruturas: i) o método “topdown” que consiste na redução de tamanho de um dado material até à obtenção duma estrutura 1D; e ii) o método “bottom-up” em que átomos, iões e moléculas são agrupados para formar um material 1D. O método “top down” envolve em geral técnicas de desgaste, como o uso do feixe de electrões, que apesar de permitirem elevada precisão no posicionamento e no controlo do tamanho, falham em termos de resolução, exigem muito tempo e causam facilmente defeitos que deterioram as propriedades físicas destes materiais. Na metodologia “bottom up” a utilização de moléculas ou estruturas “molde” tem sido a mais explorada. As estructuras 1D podem também ser preparadas sem recorrer a “moldes”. Neste caso a agregação orientada é promovida pelo recurso a aditivos que controlam o crescimento dos cristais em direcções preferenciais. Neste contexto, neste trabalho utilizaram-se duas estratégias “bottom up” de baixo custo para a preparação de nanopartículas de titanato de bário (BaTiO3) com morfologia controlada: 1) síntese química (em solução e em fase vapor) com utilização de nanotubos de titanato TiNTs) como “moldes” e precursores de titânio 2) síntese química em solução com presença de aditivos. Os nanotubos de titanato de sódio foram preparados por síntese hidrotermal. Como existiam muitas dúvidas acerca da natureza estrutural e do mecanismo de formação dos NTs, a parte inicial do trabalho foi dedicada à realização de um estudo sistemático dos parâmetros intervenientes na síntese e à caracterização da sua estrutura e microestrutura. Foi demonstrado que os NTs têm a fórmula geral A2Ti2O5 (A = H+ or Na+), e não TiO2 (anátase) com defendido por vários autores na literatura, e podem ser preparados por método hidrotermal em meio fortemente alcalino usando como fonte de titânio TiO2 comercial na forma de anátase ou rútilo. A menor reactividade do rútilo exige temperaturas de síntese superiores ou tempos de reacção mais longos. A forma tubular resulta do tratamento hidrotermal e não de processos de lavagem e neutralização subsequentes. Se os NTs forem tratados após a síntese hidrotérmica em água a 200 ºC, transformam-se em nanocilindros. Uma das partes principais desta tese consistiu na investigação do papel dos NTs de titanato no crescimento anisotrópico de BaTiO3. O potencial funcionamento dos NTs como “moldes” para além de precursores foi testado em reacção com hidróxido de bário em síntese em solução e por reacção com um precursor orgânico de bário em fase vapor. Tendo por base os estudos cinéticos realizados, bem como as alterações estruturais e morfológicas das amostras, é possível concluir que a formação do BaTiO3 a partir de NTs de titanato de sódio, ocorre por dois mecanismos dependendo da temperatura e tempo de reacção. Assim, a baixa temperatura e curto tempo de reacção verifica-se que se formam partículas dendríticas de BaTiO3 cuja superfície é bastante irregular (“wild”) e que apresentam estrutura pseudo-cúbica. Estas partículas formam-se por reacção topotáctica na fronteira dos nanotubos de titanato de sódio. A temperaturas mais altas e/ou reacções mais longas, a reacção é controlada por um mecanismo de dissolução e precipitação com formação de dendrites de BaTiO3 tetragonais com superfície mais regular (“seaweed”). A microscopia de força piezoeléctrica mostrou que as dendrites “seaweeds“ possuem actividade piezoeléctrica superior à das dendrites “wild”, o que confirma o papel desempenhado pela estrutura e pela concentração de defeitos na rede na coerência e ordem ferroeléctrica de nanoestruturas. Os nossos resultados confirmam que os NTs de titanato não actuam facilmente como “moldes” na síntese em solução de BaTiO3 já que a velocidade de dissolução dos NTs em condições alcalinas é superior à velocidade de formação do BaTiO3. Assumindo que a velocidade de reacção dos NTs com o precursor de bário é superior em fase vapor, efectuou-se a deposição de um precursor orgânico de bário por deposição química de vapor sobre um filme de NTs de titnato de sódio depositados por deposição electroforética. Estudou-se a estabilidade dos NTs nas diferentes condições do reactor. Quando os NTs são tratados a temperaturas superiores a 700 ºC, ocorre a transformação dos NTs em nanocilindros de anatase por um mecanismo de agregação orientada. Quando se faz a deposição do precursor de bário, seguida de calcinação a 700 ºC em atmosfera oxidante de O2, verifica-se que a superficie dos NTs fica coberta com nanocristais de BaTiO3 independentemente da concentração de bário. O papel dos NTs de titanato no crescimento anisotrópico de BaTiO3 em fase vapor é assim descrito pela primeira vez. Em relação à metodologias de crescimento de partículas na ausência de “moldes” mas com aditivos fez-se um estudo sistemático utilizando 5 aditivos de natureza differente. As diferenças entre aditivos foram sistematizadas tendo em conta as diferenças estruturais e morfológicas verificadas. Está provado que os aditivos podem funcionar como modificadores de crescimento cristalino por alteração do seu padrão de crescimento ou por alteração da cinética de crescimento das faces cristalográficas do cristal. Entre os aditivos testados verificou-se que o ácido poliacrilíco adsorve em faces específicas do BaTiO3 alterando a cinética de crescimento e induzindo a agregação orientada das partículas. O polivinilpirrolidona, o docecilsulfato de sódio e hidroxipropilmetilcelulose actuam mais como inibidores de crescimento do que como modificadores do tipo de crescimento. A D-frutose aumenta a energia de activação da etapa de nucleação não ocorrendo formação de BaTiO3 para as mesmas condições dos outros aditivos. Esta tese clarifica o papel dos NTs de titanato de sódio enquanto precursores e “moldes” no crescimento anisotrópico de BaTiO3 em solução e em fase vapor. É feita também a abordagem do controlo morfológico do BaTiO3 através do uso de aditivos. As estratégias de preparação de BaTiO3 propostas são de baixo custo, reprodutíveis e fáceis de efectuar. Os resultados contribuem para uma melhor compreensão da relação tamanho – morfologia – propriedade em materiais ferroeléctricos nanométricos com vista à sua potencial aplicação.