Preparation and characterization of gadolinium hydroxide single-crystalline nanorods by a hydrothermal process

The Gd(OH)3 nanorods with diameters of ca. 40–60 nm and lengths of more than 400–550 nm have been prepared by a novel hydrothermal technique. The structural features and chemical composition of the nanorods were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The possible mechanism for the formation of Gd(OH)3 nanorods was proposed.