Microemulsion-assisted solvothermal synthesis of Nd2(CO3)3·8H2O microstructures

Microstructures of Nd2(CO3)3·8H2O with various morphological structures and sizes were successfully synthesized using the microemulsion-assisted solvothermal method. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis (DSC–TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electron diffraction (ED). The results showed that pyramid-like and spherical Nd2(CO3)3·8H2O microstructures were synthesized depending on the reaction time and reaction temperature. Moreover, the reaction time and temperature also played important roles in controlling the morphologies and sizes of the resulting Nd2(CO3)3·8H2O microstructures.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Pyramid-like and spherical Nd2(CO3)3·8H2O microstructures were synthesized using a microemulsion-assisted solvothermal method with precise control of the reaction time and reaction temperature. ► The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis (DSC–TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electron diffraction (ED). ► The increase in size of pyramid-like Nd2(CO3)3·8H2O microstructures with increasing reaction time was attributed to the typical Ostwald ripening process, while the increase in size of spherical Nd2(CO3)3·8H2O microstructures with increasing reaction temperature was explained by the increasing collision probability of microemulsion droplets.