Solid-phase synthesis of cupric tungstate

The high degree of mixing of W and Cu phases in copper tungstates makes the m an attractive source for manufacturing W-Cu composite powders. Hydrogen r eduction of copper tungstates provides composite W-Cu powder products with a uniform, homogeneous dispersion of the metal phases. This paper presents test results for a variety of solid-phase reactions to synthesize cupric tu ngstate (CuWO4). Hydrated, dehydrated, and complex oxides of tungsten and c opper have been used as solid reactants. With stoichiometric ratios of reac tants, synthesis in air at 800 degreesC produced 96% to 100% conversion to CuWO4. Heterogeneous synthesis of CuWO4 with the participation of three sol id phases (S-1 + S-2 --> S-3) required the simplest, most inexpensive equip ment. The end product properties of synthesized CuWO4 could be controlled b y the proper choice of reactants.