Growth of Gd2O3 nanoparticles inside mesoporous silica frameworks

• Gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) nanoparticles with very small size and narrow size distribution were synthesized by infiltration of Gd(NO3)(3)center dot 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 degrees 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 GdCl3 center dot 6H(2)O is used as precursor, GdOCl is formed instead of Gd2O3. The Gd2O3 nanoparticles showed a weak antiferromagnetic behavior, as expected.

Nyckelord

Gd2O3

Nanoparticles

Nanocasting

Mesoporous silica

SBA-15

Teknisk fysik med inriktning mot fasta tillståndets fysik

Engineering Science with specialization in Solid State Physics

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