Synthesis and characterization of Gd(OH)3 and Gd2O3 nanorods

Hexagonal phase Gd(OH)3 nanorods were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and cubic phase Gd2O3 nanorods were obtained by a post-annealing treatment. Their physicochemical properties were fully examined by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction crystallography, differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR, UV–vis absorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and a temperature-programmed reduction experiment. Gd2O3 nanorods showed a hydrogen reduction peak at 790 °C. Hexagonal and cubic crystalline phases were confirmed by XRD and Raman results.