Hydrothermal synthesis (and Solvothermal synthesis) is one of the most reliable and the most widely used nanoparticle synthesis techniques utilized at MSRL. This method involves mixing stoichiometrically precise reagents in ultrapure water (A different solvent for the solvothermal method instead of water) using a magnetic stirrer. The mixing conditions: pH, temperature, and concentration, vary depending on the material being synthesized.

Once thoroughly mixed, the solution is transferred to a Teflon-lined autoclave and subjected to heat treatment in an oven. After synthesis, the sample undergoes multiple centrifugation cycles to eliminate any unwanted residues. The purified sample is then dried to obtain a powdered form. In some cases, additional processing steps such as milling and high-temperature sintering in an oven may be required.

All these processes are conducted in-house at MSRL, ensuring full control over synthesis quality and reproducibility.

This is the latest synthesis method introduced in our lab. In this process, stoichiometrically measured reagents are mixed using a magnetic stirrer at high temperatures. Chelating agents (like Citric acid) and polymerization agents (like Ethelyne glycol) are used during the mixing. The resulting solution is then burnt in an oven to achieve a fluffy powder-like substance. Afterward, the sample is milled and finally sintered in a furnace at temperatures as high as 800°C to obtain the final powdered form.

All these processes are conducted in-house at MSRL like the hydrothermal method.

The solid-state method is the first synthesis method employed by the researchers at MSRL.  In this process, stoichiometric calculations are performed, and the required reagents are carefully measured before being ground using either a ball miller or a hand miller. Milling plays a crucial role in facilitating the chemical reaction, with its duration and intensity directly impacting the size and morphology of the powdered samples. In some cases, further sintering in a furnace may be necessary to achieve the desired material properties.
This method was carried out in AEC while MSRL was in its infancy.