Microwave-assisted synthesis of BaMoO4 nanocrystallites by a citrate complex method and their anisotropic aggregation

BaMoO4 powders, which have scheelite-type structure, were successfully synthesized at low temperatures by a modified citrate complex method assisted by microwave irradiation. The citrate complex precursors were heat-treated at temperatures from 300 to 500 °C for 3 h. Crystallization of the BaMoO4 powders were detected at 350 °C and completed at a temperature of 400 °C. TEM image of the BaMoO4 product heat-treated at 400 °C revealed spindle-rods-like and flake-like morphology at 500 °C. The anisotropic aggregation habit of BaMoO4 lead to two-dimensionally aggregated powder morphology, which was attributed to the high chemical potentials of the intrinsic structure of BaMoO4.