Aqueous solution synthesis and photoluminescence properties of two-dimensional dendritic PbWO₄ nanostructures

Graphical abstract: PbWO₄ two-dimensional dendritic nanostructures (2DDNs) were prepared at room temperature through a facile aqueous solution route using only Pb(NO₃)₂ and Na₂WO₄ as reaction reagents and distilled water as solvent. - Highlights: • Two-dimensional dendritic PbWO4 nanostructures were prepared through a facile aqueous solution route at room temperature. • A “two-step” growth mechanism was proposed for the formation of two-dimensional dendritic PbWO4 nanostructures. • The two-dimensional dendritic PbWO4 nanostructures exhibit good photoluminescence properties. - Abstract: PbWO₄ two-dimensional dendritic nanostructures (2DDNs) were prepared at room temperature through a facile aqueous solution route. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer were used to characterize the obtained samples. The PbWO₄ 2DDN was in one plane, with a nearly circular shape and sizes of ∼10 μm. The PbWO₄ 2DDNs were composed of curved nanowires around 200 nm in diameters, which were connected together to form a network nanostructure. The effects of reaction conditions including the concentration of react reagents, the reaction temperature, and the reaction time were systematically investigated and a possible formation mechanism for the formation of 2DDNs was proposed. The optical properties, such as UV–vis spectra and photoluminescence spectra of PbWO₄, were studied. The advantages of this synthetic route include the first synthesis of PbWO₄ 2DDNs, simple synthetic procedure, room reaction temperature, and high reproducibility of the process