Orthorhombic Polar Phase in Sodium Niobate Nanoribbons

Ferroelectric materials exhibit switchable spontaneous polarization below Curie's temperature, driven by octahedral distortions and rotations, as well as ionic displacements. The ability to manipulate polarization coupled with persistent remanence, drives diverse applications, including piezoelectric devices. In the last two decades, nanoscale exploration has unveiled unique material properties influenced by morphology, including the capability to manipulate polarization, patterns, and domains. This paper focuses on the characterization of nanometric sodium niobate (SN) synthesized from metallic niobium through alkali hydrothermal treatment, utilizing electron microscopy techniques, including high-resolution differential phase contrast (DPC) in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The material exhibits a nanoribbon structure forming a tree root-like network. The study identifies crystallographic phase, atomic columns displacement directions, and surface features, such as exposed planes and the absence of particular atomic columns. The high sensitivity of integrated DPC images proves crucial in overcoming observational challenges in other STEM modes. These observations are essential for potential applications in electronic, photocatalytic, and chemical reaction contexts.

Application, Synthesis, and Characterization of Cationic Galactomannan from Ruderal Species as a Wet Strength Additive and Flocculating Agent

There has been a cumulative interest across the globe in substituting the synthetic materials with sustainable, economical, and biobased green alternatives for utilization in diverse industrial applications. Galactomannans are among the most important sustainable, biodegradable macromolecules abundantly produced by plants, which can be exploited for a range of end-use applications. Functionalization of the galactomannans may improve the physicochemical properties for diverse industrial applications. In the present study, the cationic derivative of Cassia tora gum, a 1:5 galactomannan, was synthesized under heterogeneous alkaline conditions using CHPTAC. The effect of each reaction parameter on the degree of substitution (DS) was investigated using Taguchi L16 orthogonal array. The optimized cationic product with DS 0.28 showed promising results as a biopolymeric flocculant for wastewater treatment and as a wet strength additive for improving the physical strength of paper prepared from old corrugated carton for its recycling. The optimized product was characterized by advanced spectroscopic methods.

Revealing the hydrothermal crystallization mechanism of ilmenite-type sodium niobate microplates: the roles of potassium ions

The roles of K ions in the hydrothermal crystallization process of plate-like NaNbO₃ microcrystals were revealed.

A metastable cubic phase of sodium niobate nanoparticles stabilized by chemically bonded solvent molecules

A facile and green alternative was provided to prepare a metastable phase of cubic NaNbO₃ nanoparticles. A new insight into the stabilization of cubic NaNbO₃ nanoparticles by chemically bonded organic molecules was proposed on the basis of systematic structural and surface analyses.

Controllable synthesis and morphology evolution from two-dimensions to one-dimension of layered K2V6O16·nH2O

In a hydrothermal process, layered K₂V₆O₁₆·2.7H₂O platelike crystals are split into layered K₂V₆O₁₆·1.5H₂O fiberlike crystals.

Synthesis, structure, and piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric NaNbO3 nanostructures

NaNbO₃ nanowires and NaNbO₃ microcubes are indexed to ferroelectric and antiferroelectric structures, respectively.