Microwave-assisted solution-phase preparation and growth mechanism of FeMoO4hierarchical hollow spheresElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Variation curve of pressure as a function of time; variation curve of temperature as a function of time; SEM images of the as-prepared FeMoO4at 190 °C with different iron sources; SEM image of the as-prepared FeMoO4using solvothermal methods at 190 °C for 6 h. See DOI: 10.1039/b912555h

In the present paper, we report successful synthesis of FeMoO4hierarchical hollow spheres with 1.0 µm in diameter viaa simple, rapid and reliable microwave-assisted solution-phase approach. The phases and morphologies of the products have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Some factors influencing the morphology of the final product have been investigated. These experiments indicate that the self-assembly of FeMoO4nanoparticles at the water/gas interface is responsible for the formation of a hierarchical hollow structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]