Sonochemical synthesis of Dy2(CO3)3 nanoparticles and their conversion to Dy2O3 and Dy(OH)3: Effects of synthesis parameters

Dysprosium carbonates nanoparticles were synthesized by the reaction of Dy(CH3COO)3·6H2O and sodium hydroxide by a sonochemical method. Dysprosium oxide nanoparticles with average size about 12 nm were prepared from calcination of Dy2(CO3)3·xH2O nanoparticles. Dy(OH)3 nanoparticles were synthesized by facial hydrothermal processing from Dy2O3 nanoparticles. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and photoluminescence (PL). The PL result showed one broad emission band centered at 390 nm (λex = 300 nm) of the pure Dy2O3 nanoparticles. The role of surfactant, calcination temperature and sonication time were investigated on the morphology and particle size of the products.