Mechanochemically-assisted synthesis and characterization of bismuth titanate (Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂) nanoparticles: Milling time effect

This study investigated the mechanochemical synthesis of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ nanoparticles, employing Bi₂O₃ and TiO₂ as precursors. Bismuth titanate powders were produced by high-energy ball milling with 2, 4, and 6 h of milling. Furthermore, the 6-h milled sample underwent calcination at 500 °C for 2 h. Through XRD, the formation of the Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ phase was confirmed, which exhibited an orthorhombic structure. SEM–EDS analyses were used to measure particle size, chemical composition, and powder morphology. The band gap of the samples was determined using UV–vis DRS, yielding a consistent value of 2.6 eV for all milling times. The results demonstrated that the desired formation of the Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ phase occurred as early as 2 h of milling, underscoring the advantage of the mechanochemical process over conventional solid-state reactions. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanochemical synthesis of bismuth titanate nanoparticles and highlights its potential for efficient phase formation and tailored material properties. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]