Microsphere morphology tuning and photo-luminescence properties of monoclinic Y₂WO₆

Effects of the solution pH value and reaction time on the precursor morphology and photoluminescence properties are investigated for hydrothermally prepared monoclinic Y₂WO₆ phosphors. In the near-neutral environment, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) surfactant forms small microspheres micelles as template to synthesize microspherical precursor. H⁺ ions concentration affects the arrangement of negative ionic surfactant SDBS. As a result, jujube-liked and popcorn-like loose microspheres formed at low pH value. When the pH value is 5.2 and the hydrothermal reaction time reaches 24 h, respectively, the strongest luminescent intensity can be obtained. Under this condition, the precursor presented regular microsphere with diameter of 4.0 μm. After high-temperature heat treatment, the obtained phosphor particles still exhibit microsphere-like shape. Therefore, we provide an effective method to tune the morphology of Y₂WO₆ phosphors and study the relationship between morphology and luminescent performance.