Crystal structure studies on plate/shelf like disodium ditungstate

Abstract

The structure of plate/shelf like disodium ditungstate (Na2W2O7) synthesized by new method in the process of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis using acidified aqueous solutions of tungsten (VI) oxide clusters as a precursor was refined down to the R-factor of 8.9 %. X-ray diffraction analysis undoubtedly confirmed formation of orthorhombic Na2W2O7 and refinement of the diffraction data showed that Na2W2O7 powder belongs to the base-centred orthorhombic type of structure with 64 space group, Cmca. The structure of Na2W2O7 can be described as infinite chains formed from tetrahedral (WO4) and octahedral (WO6) building units joined together. It was found that the basic units of the precursor complexes exist in the structure of Na2W2O7. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed formation of plate/shelf like Na2W2O7 particles with an average thickness of about 1.2 mu m.