Micro-sized Sb2O3 octahedra fabricated via a PEG-1000 polymer-assisted hydrothermal route

The micro-sized Sb2O3 octahedra can be synthesized on a large scale via a simple PEG- 1000 polymer-assisted hydrothermal route (PAHR) in the temperature range of 160-180 degreesC for 10-14 h. The structures, compositions, and morphologies of the as-synthesized products are derived from X-ray power diffraction pattern, X-ray photoclectron spectra, and field emission scanning electronic microscope. Meanwhile, the optical properties of the micro-sized Sb2O3 octahedra are studied by their photoluminescene spectroscopy and Raman spectrum. Furthermore, the possible growth mechanism of the micro-metered Sb2O3 octahedra is discussed on the basis of a series of supplementary experiments. And it has been found that PEG-1000, sodium tartrate, the reaction temperature, and the reaction time have considerable effects on the final morphology of Sb2O3, while the pH value has an influence on the formation of the Sb2O3 crystals. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc, All rights reserved.