Synthesis and characteristics of Sm2O3 and Nd2O3 nanoparticles

A novel method has been used to synthesize rare earth oxide nanoparticles. Sm and Nd hydride nanoparticles were first produced by a hydrogen plasma-metal reaction. The evaporation rate of Sm is about three times that of Nd. Nd2O3 nanoparticles were then directly synthesized from the passivation of Nd hydride nanoparticles and Sm2O3 nanoparticles with a pure cubic structure from the heat treatment Of Sm3H7 nanoparticles at 673 K in air. The morphology and crystal structure of the prepared powders were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Both the Sm2O3 and the Nd2O3 nanoparticles were spherical in shape, with a mean particle diameter of about 40 and 17 nm, respectively. The particle size of the Sm2O3 nanoparticles changed very little after the sintering of the Sm hydride nanoparticles at 473 and 673 K.