Key Words:Crystal morphology; Dendrites; Nanostructures; Hydrothermal crystal growth; Nanomaterials; Phosphates

Abstract:Orthorhombic Fe-5(PO4)(4)(OH)(3)center dot 2H(2)O single crystalline dendritic nanostructures have been synthesized by a facile and reproducible hydrothermal method without the aid of any surfactants. The influences of synthetic parameters, such as reaction time, temperature, the amount of H2O2 solution, pH values, and types of iron precursors, on the crystal structures and morphologies of the resulting products have been investigated. The formation process of Fe-5(PO4)(4)(OH)(3)center dot 2H(2)O dendritic nanostructures is time dependent: amorphous FePO4 center dot nH(2)O nanoparticles are formed firstly, and then Fe-5(PO4)(4)(OH)(3)center dot 2H(2)O dendrites are assembled via a crystallization-orientation attachment process, accompanying a color change from yellow to green. The shapes and sizes of Fe-5(PO4)(4)(OH)(3)center dot 2H(2)O products can be controlled by adjusting the amount of H2O2 solution, pH values, and types of iron precursors in the reaction system. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Volume:312

Issue:20

Translation or Not:no