Synthesis and characterization of chromium oxide nanocrystals via solid thermal decomposition at low temperature

Chromium oxide nanocrystals were synthesized by solid thermal decomposition using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or a triblock copolymer (P123) as template agent at low temperature. The chromium oxide nanocrystals possess lamellar phase with disordered mesopore. The template surfactants (P123 or CTAB) and hydrated water play an important bridging role in the aggregation of inorganic chromium species in the thermal decomposition of chromium nitration. The mesopores of chromium oxide are formed by eliminating CTAB or P123 from the Cr-surfactants composites with small shrinkage.