Large-scale hydrothermal synthesis of WO3 nanowires in the presence of K2SO4

WO3 nanowires were fabricated by a hydrothermal method in the presence of K2SO4. The nanowires exhibit a well crystallized one-dimensional structure with 10 nm in diameter and several microns in length. Effects of other alkali salts (KNO3, NaNO3 and Na2SO4) on the morphologies of WO3 nanocrystals were also investigated. The important role of K2SO4 salt in the WO3 nanowires synthesis has been demonstrated.