Preparation of Spherical Tungsten Particles Assisted by Hydrothermal Method

Abstract

We presented a strategy to prepare spherical tungsten powder by the combination of hydrothermal method and H₂ reduction process. In hydrothermal process, the micelle of tetraethylammonium bromide (TEAB) act as spherical templates for the deposition of tungsten oxide, whereas the excessive TEAB inhibit the formation of spherical tungsten oxide due to the dense molecular layer of TEAB on the tungsten oxide particles. Citric acid (CA) can control the formation rate and structure of the tungsten oxide when its concentration is more than 0.2 mol/L, because of its ability to coordinate with tungsten atoms. The synergistic effect of TEAB and CA facilitates the formation of spherical tungsten oxide with nanorod crown. After being treated by H₂ at 600 and 650 °C, the tungsten oxide particles are reduced to tungsten particles, which maintain the spherical structure of tungsten oxide and have porous structure.

Keywords

spherical tungsten particles / spherical tungsten oxide / hydrothermal method / citric acid / tetraethylammonium bromide

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