title: A comprehensive study of the crystallization mechanism involved in the nonaqueous formation of tungstite.
abstract: We present a detailed study on the nonaqueous synthesis of tungstite nanostructures with the focus on crystallization processes and the evolution of particle morphology. Time-dependent transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed a complex, particle-based crystallization mechanism involving first the formation of spherical and single-crystalline primary particles of 2-8 nm, which are cross-linked to large and unordered agglomerates, followed by their organization into rod-like structures of 40 × 200-400 nm. These rods undergo an internal ordering process, during which crystallographically oriented stacks of platelets develop. In situ small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments confirm this pathway of particle formation. The scattering intensity is dominated by the fast formation of rod-like particles, which cause an inter-platelet peak in the SAXS pattern with ongoing internal ordering. With continuous reaction time, the platelet stacks start to fall apart forming shorter assemblies of just a few platelets or even single platelets.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Multifunctional Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Inga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Olliges-Stadler
authors.forename: Marta D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Rossell
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Süess
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ludi
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bunk
authors.forename: Jan Skov
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Birkedal
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niederberger