Blue luminescence of nanocrystalline PbWO4 phosphor synthesized via a citrate complex route assisted by microwave irradiation

Nanocrystalline PbWO4 phosphor powders, which have scheelite structure, were successfully synthesized at low temperatures via a modified citrate complex route assisted by microwave irradiation. Crystallization of the PbWO4 precursor were detected at 400 °C, and entirely completed at 500 °C. Prepared PbWO4 nanocrystallites showed primarily spherical and disperse morphology. The average crystallite sizes were between 18 and 29 nm, showing an ordinary tendency to increase with temperature. The nanocrytalline PbWO4 phosphor powders exhibited spread-eagle shape of blue luminescence. Especially the PbWO4 phosphor powders prepared at 600 °C showed the strongest luminescent intensity, which was due to the higher crystallinity and homogeneous particle morphology.