Nanocomposite Formation Through Thermal Decomposition of Mixed Samarium and Magnesium Citrate‐Derived Gels Formed by Spray Pyrolysis

Abstract

Metal citrate gels of samarium and magnesium were used as precursors for the generation of hollow sphere particles by spray pyrolysis under mild thermal conditions. Six mixtures with different Sm/Mg ratios as well as pure Sm and Mg samples were prepared. As a result of the low synthesis temperature the particles consist of amorphous metal carboxylate networks. The texture of the shells is governed by microporosity yielding the major part of the total surface area. A detailed investigation of thermal decomposition, crystallization, and grain growth behavior was carried out under constant heating rate conditions. The decomposition products are nanocrystalline Sm2O3 and MgO and corresponding two‐phase nanocomposites. The pure samarium carboxylate gel features considerably higher thermal stability compared with the one comprised of only magnesium. Accordingly the decomposition behavior of mixed samples is dependent on the Sm/Mg ratio. Furthermore it is shown that small amounts of MgO are able to slow down the kinetics of grain growth of Sm2O3 whereas high amounts are necessary to significantly reduce the final grain size at 1000°C.

Magnetism and magnetocaloric effect in nanocrystalline La0.67Ca0.33Mn0.9V0.1O3synthesized by nebulized spray pyrolysis

“…The NSP set-up consists of an atomization chamber and a pyrolysis reactor whose details are available in the literature [15,17,18]. NSP is a common effective method to synthesize nanoparticles of uniform size.…”

Phase Homogeneity in Y2O3–MgO Nanocomposites Synthesized by Thermal Decomposition of Nitrate Precursors with Ammonium Acetate Additions

“…15 One of the most frequently applied approaches in the production of nanocomposite oxides is the sol-gel process in which precursor solutions are used as the starting materials, with network forming or complexing agents added to form the gel structure. 8,16 A key advantage of this process is that the precursors for the different oxides remain well-mixed on a molecular level during the synthesis. Another commonly used synthesis method for producing nanocomposite oxides is the thermal decomposition/combustion process.…”