Fabrication and morphology control of BaWO4 thin films by microwave assisted chemical bath deposition

Highly crystallized barium tungstate (BaWO4) thin films with dumbbell-like, kernel-like, bowknot-like and cauliflower-like microstructure were synthesized from an aqueous solution containing barium nitrate, ethylenediamine tetraacetate acid disodium and sodium tungstate, via mild microwave assisted chemical bath deposition process. The resulting BaWO4 films with different morphologies were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectrum, scanning electron microscope, Raman and photoluminescence spectra. The results indicate that the morphologies of final products significantly depend on the reaction conditions including the reaction time, the initial concentration of precursor reagent and the physicochemical characteristics of the substrates. Furthermore, the oriented aggregation mechanism is proposed as a possible formation mechanism of the films with specific morphologies.