Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of ultrafine neodymium oxide particles

Nanocrystalline neodymium oxide precursor particles have been prepared for the first time by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal route from a solution containing Nd(CH3COO)3·H2O. Further thermal treatment of the as-prepared precursors resulted in the formation of the well-crystallized Nd2O3 (cubic or trigonal) nanoparticles with fibrous or rod-like morphology. It was found that neodymium oxide is mesoporous material owning the specific surface area up to 130 m2/g. The proposed synthesis, in contrast to conventional hydrothermal method, offers very rapid heating with better yield and high reproducibility.