Solvent-free synthesis of mercury oxide nanoparticles by a simple thermal decomposition method

This paper reports on a novel processing route for producing HgO nanoparticles by solid-state thermal decomposition of mercury(II) acetate nanostructures obtained by the sublimation of mercury(II) acetate powder. The sublimation process of the Hg(OAc)(2) powder was carried out in the temperature 150 degrees C for 2 h. In addition, nanoparticles of HgO were obtained by solid-state thermal decomposition of the as-synthesized Hg(OAc)(2) nanostructures. The assynthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and EDAX. The sublimation process of the Hg(OAc)(2) powder was carried out within the range of 150-180 degrees C. The XRD studies indicated the production of pure orthorhombic HgO nanoparticles after thermal decomposition. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.