Influence of synthesis conditions on the microstructure of Li–Ta–Ti–O microsheets by molten salt method

M-phase Li–Ta–Ti–O (LTT) microsheets were synthesized by the molten salt method. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction analyses were performed to analyze the morphology and microstructure of the LTT microsheets. The average number of layers of the LTT microsheets increases with increasing the synthesis temperature and holding time, and pure M-phase LTT microsheets are obtained at a temperature above 1000 °C. Both terrace-ledge-kink and Ostwald ripening mechanisms are important for the formation of the M-phase LTT microsheets. We demonstrate that the size of LTT microsheets could be controlled by adjusting the synthesis temperature, holding time, and the weight ratio of the raw powders to LiCl salt. These LTT microsheets with tunable size are promising building blocks for high performance microwave ceramics.