Controlled Gd2O3nanorods and nanotubes by the annealing of Gd(OH)3nanorod and nanotube precursors and self-templates produced by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal process

• Main Authors: Thongtem, Titipun, Phuruangrat, Anukorn, Ham, Dong Jin, Lee, Jae Sung, Thongtem, Somchai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1466-8033
• DOI: 10.1039/b925097b

One dimensional Gd(OH) 3 nanorods and nanotubes were successfully produced through a microwave-assisted hydrothermal process of Gd(NO 3 ) 3 solutions at pH 10, adjusted using 3 M NaOH and NH 4 OH as buffer solutions. Subsequently, the Gd(OH) 3 nanorods and nanotubes, functioned as both the precursors and self-templates, were annealed at 450 °C for 2 h to form the respective Gd 2 O 3 nanorods and nanotubes whilst retaining their shapes. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) were used to characterize these Gd(OH) 3 and Gd 2 O 3 nanorods and nanotubes, of which the formation mechanisms were also proposed. Gd 2 O 3 nanorods and nanotubes were synthesised by annealing self-template Gd(OH) 3 precursors, obtained via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal process from Gd(NO 3 ) 3 solutions at pH 10. Formation mechanisms for the products were proposed.