Efficient self-assembly solvothermal synthesis of octahedral CuWO4 microstructures assisted by ethylene glycol

Abstract

Octahedral CuWO4 microstructurals were successfully obtained via a simple self-assembly solvothermal synthesis pathway for the first time. The effect of organic solvents on the morphology of copper tungstate (CuWO4) was systematically investigated here. In addition, some other parameters, such as the reaction time, sodium salts and a possible mechanism for the formation of CuWO4 with varied morphologies were discussed. We succeed in fabricating and characterizing an octahedral CuWO4 and the results demonstrate that the amount of ethylene glycol (EG) and Cl− plays a critical effect on the formation of unique morphology of CuWO4. According to our investigation, samples obtained show better photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of RhB. Our research provides some new perspective of the morphology control of CuWO4 and is conducive to understand the relationship between the morphology of other wolframite-type microcrystals and their properties.