Synthesis of Cr2O3 Nanoparticles in the Presence of Polyethyleneglycol by Thermal Decomposition Method

Chromium oxide (Cr2O3) nanoparticles was prepared by thermal decomposition of Cr(acac)3. Prior to decomposition, Cr(acac)3 precursor first mixed with polyethylene glycol in ethanol solvent and then the solvent was evaporated by mild heating. Finally, the produced solid mixture was converted to Cr2O3 nanoparticles with thermal decomposition at 450oC for 2h. The final product was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). XRD pattern confirms high purity and crystallinity of Cr2O3 compound with rhombohedral crystalline phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed nanoparticles with diameters of 20-30 nm. UV–Vis absorption measurements indicated that the band gap of the Cr2O3 nanoparticle is 4.5 eV. The possible growth mechanism has also been proposed.