SrTiO3 particles with different morphologies were successfully synthesized by a microwave hydrothermal method. The effect of different surfactants on the morphology, the crystal structure and the optical property of particles were investigated. Polyvinyl alcohol-derived particles had a rodlike morphology, a large ratio of c/a > 1 and small band gap energy (2.60 eV). Polyethylene glycol-derived particles had a shorter rodlike morphology, smaller ratio of c/a > 1 and a bigger band gap energy (3.25 eV). In contrast, the carboxymethyl cellulose-derived particles had a platelike morphology, a small ratio of c/a 4, and a broad band gap (3.34 eV). Raman analysis revealed that the either polyethylene glycol- or polyvinyl alcohol-derived SrTiO3 particles were tetragonal, while another particle was cubic.

Keywords: nano materials; optical; selection for material properties