Growth mechanism and photoluminescence properties of controlled PbWO4 micro- and mesocrystals obtained by the surfactant-assisted solvothermal method

Abstract

In this paper, we report on the ortho-hexaclaval and size-controlled spherical PbWO₄ micro- and mesocrystals synthesized by the surfactant-assisted solvothermal method with cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), deionized water or ethylene glycol solvents. The resulting hierarchical PbWO₄ crystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. Experimental results indicated that CTAB played a critical role in the formation of specific structures. Finally, the optical properties were investigated at room temperature by means of ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence measurements.