New sodium dodecyl sulfate-assisted preparation of Nd2O3 nanostructures via a simple route

Abstract

The effect of the anionic shape- and size-controller on the morphology and size of Nd₂O₃ prepared by a new simple approach was studied. Nanostructured Nd₂O₃ was synthesized by heat treatment in air at 900 °C for 5 h, employing powder, which was prepared by a solvent-free solid-state reaction from [NdL(NO₃)₂]NO₃ (L = bis-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde)-ethanediamine Schiff base compound), as a new precursor, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as shape- and size-controller. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the as-obtained nanostructured Nd₂O₃ were characterized by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The obtained results demonstrated that the amount of SDS plays a key role in the morphology and particle size control of the neodymium oxide. Furthermore, the catalytic properties of the as-prepared nanostructures were evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of the erythrosine (anionic dye) as water contaminant.