Poly(methacrylic acid)-mediated morphosynthesis of PbWO₄ micro-crystals

PbWO4 crystals with various morphologies were fabricated via a facile poly(methacrylic acid)-mediated hydrothermal route. Novel microsized PbWO4 single crystals with a needle-like shape as well as other morphologies, such as a fishbone, dendrite, sphere, spindle, ellipsoid, rod, and dumbbell with two dandelion-like heads, could be produced. The presence of PMAA, [Pb2+]/[WO42-] molar ratio (R), and aging temperature played key roles in the formation of the PbWO4 needle-like structures. Between temperatures of 60 to 150 degrees C, the length and photoluminescence intensities of the PbWO4 micro needles significantly increased with aging temperature, while the diameter did not change remarkably. Time-dependent experiments revealed that the formation of PbWO4 microneedles involved an unusual growth process, involving nucleation, oriented assembly and controlled mesoscale restructuring of nanoparticle building blocks.