Multifunctional application of cytosine for the synthesis of hybrid homogenized nano-sized rare earth oxide (Re2O3) and rare earth oxycarbonate (Re2O2CO3) (Re = Nd, Sm) advance material via microwave irradiation

Abstract

For the first time in the world* a novel microwave irradiated chemical process has been developed for the synthesis of hybrid homogenized nanosized rare earth oxide (Re2O3) and rare earth oxycarbonate (Re2O2CO3) (Re = Nd, Sm) advance material using cytosine molecule. Aqueous nitrate (iii) salt of rare earth metal is allowed to react with cytosine in the presence of microwave irradiation of power source 230 V for 15 minutes at the temperature of 45°C to get the desired product. Cytosine acts as a multifunctional agent by being a source of alkaline amine, carbon containing moieties, a highly effective capping agent and therefore enabling synthesis of hybrid homogenized nanosized advance material of rare earth metal oxide and oxycarbonates. The synthesized materials were characterized by various complementary techniques namely XRD, FTIR, U.V visible, FESEM, EDXA. FESEM study revealed that the sizes of nano particles are up to 21 nm. The applications of synthesized material lies in the area such as CO2 sensor, ceramic, cosmetic, advance glass, optical fiber, luminescent, superconducting,catalyst, nanowire, nanofibre, advance magnets, phosphate removal agent from water and also in biomedical.