Growth of Gd2O3 nanoparticles inside mesoporous silica frameworks

Abstract

Gadolinium oxide (Gd 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles with very small size and narrow size distribution were synthesized by infiltration of Gd(NO 3 ) 3 ·6H 2 O as an oxide precursor into the pores of SBA-15 mesoporous silica using a wet-impregnation technique. High resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction show that during the hydrothermal treatment of the precursor at 550 °C, gadolinium oxide nanoparticles inside the silica pores are formed. Subsequent dissolution of the silica framework in aqueous NaOH resulted in well dispersed nanoparticles with an average diameter of 3.6 ± 0.9 nm. If GdCl 3 ·6H 2 O is used as precursor, GdOCl is formed instead of Gd 2 O 3 . The Gd 2 O 3 nanoparticles showed a weak antiferromagnetic behaviour, as expected.

Gd2O3:SiO2 Nanocomposite: Study on Structural and Optical Behavior

“…The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern of the individual nanocrystallites has also been observed which confirm the crystalline nature of the sample. TEM and XRD results revealed the most homogeneous structure of the sample with best crystallinity which is well in agreement with the literature …”

Effect of Concentration and Temperature on the Surface Morphology of Gd2O3 Nanocrystallites in Silica

“…TEM micrograph of Gd 2 O 3 :SiO 2 nanocomposite having 4.0 wt % gadolinium oxide exhibits almost spherical morphology of the nanocrystallites and homogeneous distribution within SiO 2 matrix. With concentration, densification and density are significantly increased which are clearly illustrated in the image of series 4 and are in good agreement with the literature . The measurement shows that the particle size distribution is relatively broad in the range of 20–35 nm as compared to the case of series 3.…”

A liquid metal reaction environment for the room-temperature synthesis of atomically thin metal oxides

“…This technique is suitable for the production of high-quality thin oxide sheets on substrates. 7for char-acterization of the alloys before use.The lattice parameters in SAED and HRTEM images were indexed using literature reports (15)(16)(17). The lack of crystallinity in the gallium oxide sample might be beam-induced.…”