Synthesis and characterisation of polyol-capped transition metal oxide nanoparticles

In-situ capped nanocrystalline gamma-Fe2O3, Co3O4, and Cu2O were prepared in 1,4-butanediol in aerobic conditions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show that the synthesised samples are nanocrystalline cubic oxides with crystallite sizes 9.5 nm, 13.4 nm, and 11 nm, respectively. Raman spectroscopy shows peaks at 350 cm(-1), 500 cm(-1), and 700 cm(-1), indicating that the iron oxide is gamma-Fe2O3; Mossbauer spectroscopy shows the presence of two Fe3+ sites. Transmission electron microscopy images show that the particle sizes of gamma-Fe2O3 and Co3O4 samples are 8.9 nm and 7 nm, respectively. The absence of agglomeration indicates that the synthesised nanoparticles are capped. FT-IR spectra show the presence of an organic moiety in the sample which acts as a capping agent. Thermogravimetry shows that the capping is stable up to 873 K in gamma-Fe2O3, and up to 400 K in Co3O4. The samples are soluble in water to form stable hydrosols. During synthesis of gamma-Fe2O3 a 6-line ferrihydrite is formed as an intermediate, which is stable in solution up to 473 K, and transforms to gamma-Fe2O3 at 483 K, by rapid dissolution-reprecipitation. In the syntheses of Co3O4 and Cu2O, no intermediates are formed.