Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of straw bundle-like lithium sodium disilicate (silinaite) micro-rods

Abstract

Highly mono-shaped straw bundle-like silinaite micro-rods have been synthesized using an aqueous mixture of silicic acid, lithium sulfate, and sodium hydroxide under hydrothermal conditions at 180°C. The synthesized materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction technique and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphologies of the synthesized materials were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy technique. The synthesized micro-rods are composed of long, fine nanosheets. Electronic absorption and photoluminescence spectra of the synthesized materials were also studied. With increasing reaction time, a blueshift was observed in the UV–vis electronic absorption and emission spectra of the synthesized materials.