Preparation of Tungstate Nanopowders by Sol-Gel Method

Tungstate crystals are considered high-class scintillators to be used as detector material for high-energy radiation. These crystals are frequently used as references in measurements on new luminescent materials. In this paper, we present manufacturing process of nanocrystalline tungstate materials. Lead tungstate (PbWO₄), cadmium tungstate (CdWO₄), calcium tungstate (CaWO₄), and zinc tungstate (ZnWO₄) were synthesized via modifying sol-gel process. An advantage of the developed technology is the possibility of manufacturing tungstate powders in nanocrystalline state not only at elevated temperatures but at room temperatures as well. X-ray diffraction method, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal investigations were done to establish structural and morphological state of these materials. For reaching the most dispersible with the lowest agglomeration single-phase system of tungstate materials, there was an established optimal relationship between the system of starting reagents and solvents.