Biomolecule-assisted route for shape-controlled synthesis of 3D flower-like CdWO4 microstructures†
Abstract
Uniform 3D hierarchical flower-like CdWO4 microstructures have been conveniently synthesized by using sodium cholate as a self-assembly facilitating agent at low temperature (35 °C). The flower-like CdWO4 microspheres are composed of radiatively assembled monoclinic-crystalline CdWO4 nanoplates with lengths of several hundred nanometers. It is noted that the introduction of sodium cholate can make the preparation of 3D CdWO4 microspheres proceed at a much lower temperature than the hydrothermal treatment method. The morphological modulation of the products could be easily realized by controlling the reaction temperature, reaction time, dosage of sodium cholate, and concentration of cadmium-cholate precursors. Based on the characteristic results, a possible formation mechanism of 3D flower-like CdWO4 microspheres was proposed.