Controlled synthesis of Sb2O3 nanoparticles by chemical reducing method in ethylene glycol

Abstract

Antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) nanoparticles with particle size range from 2 to 12 nm were successfully synthesized by chemical reducing method. Antimony trichloride was reduced by hydrazine with the presence of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as catalyst in ethylene glycol at 120 °C for 1 h. Effects of hydrazine concentration ([N2H5OH]/[Sb3+] = 0.75, 5, 10, 20, and 30, when concentration of NaOH was fixed [NaOH]/[Sb3+] = 3) and NaOH concentration ([NaOH]/[Sb3+] = 0, 1, 3, and 5, when concentration of hydrazine was fixed [N2H5OH]/[Sb3+] = 10) on the particle size and shape of the Sb2O3 nanoparticles were investigated. Transmission electron microscope, selected area electron diffraction pattern, and high resolution electron microscope were employed to study the morphology and crystallinity of the nanoparticles. It was observed that the particle size decreased and remained constant when [N2H5OH]/[Sb3+]) ≥ 10 and [NaOH]/[Sb3+] = 3. Further study on the crystallinity and phase of the nanoparticles was assisted by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). XRD revealed a cubic phase of Sb2O3 (ICDD file no. 00-043-1071) with preferred plane of (622) and lattice spacing of 1.68 A. Correlation between UV–visible absorption wavelengths of the nanoparticles and their sizes was established.