Synthesis and Growth Mechanism of Lead Titanate Nanotube Arrays by Hydrothermal Method

Lead titanate nanotube arrays were in-situ grown by hydrothermal synthesis. The hydrothermal process is time-dependent and in different hydrothermal reaction stages, different growth mechanisms dominate the formation of PbTiO3 nanotubes. In the initial stage in-situ growth of PbTiO3 nanotube arrays dominates. Subsequently dissolution–precipitation process dominates and results in the deposition of PbTiO3 particles on the surface of the already-formed PbTiO3 nanotubes. In order to in-situ grow PbTiO3 nanotube arrays with perfect nanotubular structure, suitable hydrothermal reaction time should be applied.