Sonochemical synthesis of PbWO₄ crystals with dendritic, flowery and star-like structures

Lead tungstate single crystals with dendritic, flowery and star-like structures have been prepared via a facile, ethylene glycol (EG)-assisted sonochemical method. The concentrations of EG and ultrasound irradiation were found to play crucial roles in the morphology control of the final products. The growth process was investigated by carefully following time-dependent experiments, and the oriented attachment process accompanying Ostwald ripening was proposed for the possible formation mechanism. The optical properties, such as the Raman spectra and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, of the obtained PbWO₄ crystals were studied.