Synthesis of pure KTiOPO4 nanocrystallites and KTiOPO 4/SiO2 nanocomposite powders by sol-gel method

Pure KTiOPO₄ nanocrystalline and xKTiOPO₄-(1-x)SiO₂ nanocomposite powders were successfully synthesized by sol-gel method using a homogeneous precursor solution prepared from (OC₄H₉)₃PO, Ti(OC₄H₉)₄, KAc and TEOS in 2-ethoxyethanol. The effect of solution temperature and the mole ratio of water to alkoxides on the organic precursors and the formation of KTP nanocrystallite were studied. The chemical bonds of precursors were studied by FT-IR spectra. The decomposition of gels was studied using TGA-DTA, and XRD. The DTA and XRD studies reveal that the precipitated powders and gel powders crystallized directly to KTP nanocrystallites above 600°C in air. The crystallization temperature increases with increasing SiO₂ content. The particle size and micrographs of KTP nanocrystallites were examined by TEM