Synthesis and structural properties of PbTiO₃ nanotube arrays using a TiO₂ template-assisted hydrothermal method

One-dimensional PbTiO₃ (PTO) nanotubes (NTs) were fabricated via a hydrothermal method based on an anodized TiO₂ template. Anatase-structured TiO₂ NTs were converted into tetragonal-structured PTO NTs by the entry of Pb²⁺ ions from high pressure generated during the hydrothermal process. This was confirmed through structural analysis using X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering; increase in the wall thickness of the NTs was observed. However, it was observed that when the conversion process from TiO₂ to PTO NTs exceeds the saturation state, the surface morphology of PTO NTs is changed, and PbO particles are formed on the PTO NTs. This constitutes an inhibitory factor in forming PTO NT arrays with clear surface morphology. To prevent this phenomenon, we successfully fabricated PTO NT arrays by controlling the reaction temperature, reaction time, and molar concentration of lead acetate solutions in a hydrothermal process.