Room temperature synthesis of samarium oxide nanotubes using cost-effective electroless deposition method

Abstract

Nanotubes consisting of samarium oxide (SmNT) were fabricated by electroless deposition using ion track-etched polycarbonate templates. To achieve nanotubes with thin walls and small surface roughness, the tubes were generated by a procedure containing several steps under aqueous conditions. The approach reported below will process open-ended nanotubes with well-defined outer diameter and wall thickness.

Electroless Metallization of the Elements: Survey and Progress

“…We summarize each category here using specific examples to describe the process chemistries. The reader interested in additional examples is referred to the following subsequent sections of this review: Magnesium, Barium, and Strontium section, Vanadium, Niobium, and Tantalum section, Molybdenum and Tungsten section, ,− Manganese and Technetium section, − Rhenium section, ,, Iron section, ,− Ruthenium section, ,− Cobalt section, Rhodium section, Iridium section, Copper section, , Indium section, Germanium section, Tin section, Lead section, − Arsenic section, Bismuth section, , and Lanthanide Elements section. − …”

“…Per eqs and , NO 3 – reduction by DMAB generates NO 2 – and OH – , which precipitates the rare earth cations as hydroxides and/or oxides. Boehme et al have exploited this reaction to advantage for the deposition of samaria ( i.e ., Sm 2 O 3 ) in Pd 0 colloid catalyzed track-etched PC templates to form nanotubes per: Sm 3 + + 3 OH − + normalH 2 normalO → Sm false( OH false) 4 − + normalH + 2 Sm false( OH false) 4 − + 2 normalH + → Sm 2 normalO 3 + 5 normalH 2 normalO Although neither Sm(OH) 4 – nor Sm 2 O 3 are autocatalytic for DMAB oxidation, deposition in this case continues even after the Pd 0 catalyst sites are covered. This suggests that the reactants can penetrate the precipitated Sm(OH) 4 – to reach the Pd 0 catalyst sites to generate additional hydroxide, which diffuses to the surface to precipitate Sm(OH) 4 – to thicken the deposit.…”

“…Per eqs 3 and 5, NO 3 − reduction by DMAB generates NO 2 − and OH − , which precipitates the rare earth cations as hydroxides and/or oxides. Boehme et al 177…”

“…Such films often also incorporate small quantities of B oxides (eq ) as dopants, permitting control of film electrical properties such as electrical resistivity (>360 Ω·cm) and carrier concentration (<1.7 × 10 16 cm –3 ) and mobility (<1.0 cm 2 ·V –1 ·s –1 ). In addition to Zn, − useful Fe, In, mixed In–Sn, and rare earth , oxides can also be prepared.…”

“…Per eqs 3 and 5, NO 3 − reduction by DMAB generates NO 2 − and OH − , which precipitates the rare earth cations as hydroxides and/or oxides. Boehme et al177 have exploited this reaction to advantage for the deposition of samaria (i.e., Sm 2 O 3 ) in Pd 0…”