Synthesis of PbCrO4 and Pb2CrO5 rods via a microwave-assisted ionic liquid method

Lead chromate (PbCrO4) rods and dilead pentaoxochromate (Pb2CrO5) with bundle-like and rod-like morphologies have been successfully synthesized by a simple microwave-assisted ionic liquid method. In the presence of NaOH, single-crystalline Pb2CrO5 bundles and rods could be synthesized by microwave heating a solution containing lead acetate and potassium dichromate at 90 degrees C for 10 min. However, single-crystalline PbCrO4 rods could be prepared by microwave beating at 50 degrees C for 10 min without using NaOH. The single-crystalline Pb2CrO5 and PbCrO4 samples prepared were unstable and tended to become polycrystalline under electron beam irradiation.