MoO3-δ nanorods:: Synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties

A novel preparation method of MoO2.987 nanorods and the thorough investigation of their structural and magnetic proper-ties by means of X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy as well as by scanning and transmission electron microscopy are reported. MoO3-delta nanorods were prepared via hydrothermal treatment of a mixture made from molybdenum peroxide solution and oxalic acid. The presented synthesis approach is very simple, of low-cost and can be a perspective for industrial manufacturing. The resulting single crystalline nanorods exhibit diameters of 60-90 nm and lengths up to several micrometers. The crystal structure was found to be orthorhombic as in alpha-MoO3. This agrees with our magnetization data which imply non-magnetic Mo6+ ions but show only a small amount of magnetic impurities giving rise to a weak paramagnetic response. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.