Direct synthesis of Sb2O3 nanoparticles via hydrolysis-precipitation method

Antimony oxide (Sb2O3) has wide applications as conductive materials, effective catalyst, functional filler and optical materials. Nanocrystalline Sb2O3 has been successfully synthesized by hydrolysis-precipitation method. The samples were characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) images, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The average crystal size of the Sb2O3 nanoparticles increases with increasing the reaction temperature. TEM image of the as-synthesized nanocrystalline Sb2O3 shows rod-like structure. HRTEM images indicate a preferred directional growth of the Sb2O3 nanoparticles. The electrochemical behaviors of Sb2O3 electrodes have been primarily investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) solution. Sb2O3 nanocrystallite phase has prominent effect on the electrochemical properties. The results indicate that nanocrystalline Sb2O3 synthesized by hydrolysis-precipitation method shows potential application in the field of the electrode materials.