Template-free synthesis of neodymium hydroxide nanorods by microwave-assisted hydrothermal process, and of neodymium oxide nanorods by thermal decomposition

Based on the 150 °C and 1 h microwave-assisted hydrothermal reaction of Nd(NO3)3 dissolved in deionized water with pH 10 adjusted by concentrated NH4OH solution, the phase and morphology of the product, characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM analyses, were specified as hexagonal Nd(OH)3 nanorods 50 nm in diameter and 700 nm long, growing along the [0 0 1] direction. TGA analysis showed the evaporation of adsorbed water and dehydration of Nd(OH)3 to synthesize the final pure Nd2O3 product. With 500 °C and 2 h calcination of the Nd(OH)3 self-template precursor, Nd2O3 nanorods were synthesized, retaining both the morphology and growth direction of the precursor.