Corals of In₂O₃ Nanoparticles, Synthesis by the Thermal Decomposition of γ-Irradiated Indium Acetate in the Presence of a Nonaqueous Medium

Abstract

Synthesis of In 2 O 3 nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of γ -irradiated indium acetate in presence of benzyl alcohol has been studied. The interaction between indium acetate and benzyl alcohol led to formation of a white gel. Thermal decomposition of the gel gave In 2 O 3 nanoparticles. The results showed that the indium complex decomposes to In 2 O 3 via an intermediate compound. The characterization of the intermediate as well as final compound was carried out by thermogravimetry, Fourier-transform infrared(FT-IR) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Nanoparticles of cubic In 2 O 3 with crystallite size in the nanoparticles range were formed after calcinations at temperature up to 900 • C.