Ferroelectric BaTiO3 nanoparticles: Biosynthesis and characterization

A new low-cost, green and reproducible Lactobacillus sp. assisted biosynthesis of BaTiO3 nanoparticles is reported. X-ray and transmission electron microscopy analyses are performed to ascertain the formation of BaTiO3 nanoparticles. The apparent crystallite size and lattice strain are estimated from Williamson–Hall approach. XRD analysis of the compound indicated the formation of a single-phase tetragonal structure. Individual nanoparticles as well as a few aggregate having the size of 20–80 nm are found. A possible involved mechanism for the biosynthesis of nano-BaTiO3 has also been proposed in which ROS as well as partial pressure of gaseous hydrogen (rH2) of the culture solution seems to play an important role in the process. Remarkable enhancement in dielectric properties was observed in BaTiO3/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposite.