Synthesis of α-Sb2O4 nanorods by a facile hydrothermal route

alpha-Sb2O4 nanorods with diameter of 50-150 nm and length of 100-300 nm have been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method using SbCl3 and l(2) as reaction reagents. The obtained sample is characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. and selected-area electron diffraction. The results confirm that the product is pure single-crystalline alpha-Sb2O4 nanorods with few dislocations and defects. The vibrational property of the nanorods is investigated by Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectrum of alpha-Sb2O4 nanorods has a small red shifts compared with that of the bulk alpha-Sb2O4 powders. A possible growth mechanism of alpha-Sb2O4 nanorods is proposed as three stages: the hydrolyzation of SbCl3 under strong acid condition, the oxidation of Sb4O5Cl2 and the growth of alpha-Sb2O4 nanorods with the aid of iodine transport. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.