Synthesis and properties of BaWO4 nanocrystals prepared using a reverse microemulsion method

Barium tungstate (BaWO4) nanocrystals were successfully synthesized using a reverse microemulsion method. The effects of the molar ratio of water to surfactant ((o)), reactant concentration, and aging time on the size and morphology of the BaWO4 nanocrystals were investigated. The obtained products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The experimental results showed that the morphology and size of the as-prepared BaWO4 nanocrystals were greatly affected by the (o) and the initial concentration, but no obvious effect by the aging time. XRD analysis showed that the BaWO4 nanocrystals synthesized had the high purity under conditions of initial reactant concentration of 0.2mol/L, (o) of 40, at temperature of 50 degrees C and aging time of 24h. Photoluminescent spectra revealed that BaWO4 crystallites displayed a very strong peak at 351nm under different aging time.