Synthesis of rod-like ultrafine K4Ce2Nb10O30 via a salt-assistant stearic acid method

A salt-assistant stearic acid method (SAM) capable of forming ultrafine K4Ce2Nb10O30 products was described. XRD pattern revealed that tetragonal K4Ce2Nb10O30 products could be obtained by heat treatment at 900 °C for 2 h. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations indicated the introduction of KCl could lead to the formation of rod-like K4Ce2Nb10O30 products. The species of salts played a crucial role in fine tuning the shapes and sizes of K4Ce2Nb10O30 products. Furthermore, the K4Ce2Nb10O30 prepared by salt-assistant SAM had considerable activity under visible light irradiation.