Template-assisted synthesis of Sb8O10(OH)(2)I-2 tubular crystals under hydrothermal conditions

Mesoscale octaantimony decaoxide dihydroxide iodide (Sb8O10(OH)(2)I-2) tubu lar crystals have been successfully synthesized for the first time through a hydrothermal route from Sb2S3, NaI and NaOH at 200 degreesC. In the proce ss, the Sb2S3 prismatic crystals serve as templates and play an important r ole in the formation of the Sb8O10(OH)(2)I-2 tubular crystals in alkali aqu eous solution. The products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction a nd scanning electron microscopy. The sample has tubular prismatic structure . A typical tubule is 6-8 mm in length, 30-50 mum in diameter, and 5 mum in thickness. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.