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Growth Mechanism and Photoluminescence Investigation of Double‐Broccoli‐Like Ca WO 4 :Eu 3+ Superstructures via Hydrothermal Synthesis
Author(s) -
Chen Yeqing,
Moon Byung K.,
Choi Byung C.,
Jeong Jung H.,
Yang Hyun K.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/jace.12536
Subject(s) - ostwald ripening , nanorod , hydrothermal circulation , photoluminescence , microstructure , chemical engineering , hydrothermal synthesis , nanotechnology , dumbbell , materials science , nanoparticle , alkali metal , tungstate , crystal growth , chemistry , crystallography , metallurgy , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , medicine , physical therapy , engineering
In this article, the synthesis and growth mechanism of CaWO 4 : Eu 3+ hierarchical dumbbell‐like and double‐broccoli‐like microstructures via a surfactant‐free hydrothermal process are studied. Results show that morphology of the product is time‐dependent under proper pH = 7. The formation of double‐broccoli‐like microstructures experience pathway from nanoparticles to hierarchical configuration. We propose that nuclei aggregated nanorods fused into spindles in seek of less surface energy, and then aligned by reorientation forming the building blocks of hierarchical dumbbell‐like and double‐broccoli‐like morphologies by the “Orientation Attachment ( OA ) process.” The hierarchical double‐broccoli‐like microcrystals are grown at the cost of nanoflakes experiencing the “Ostwald Ripening ( OR ) Process”. Interestingly, the cooperation of “OA process” and “OR Process” is observed in the growth of alkali metal tungstate for the first time. Also, the morphology dependent photoluminescent ( PL ) properties are also discussed. It may bring us a new insight into the growth of CaWO 4 crystals and raise a new way for the fine controlling and designing of other crystals.