A novel method to synthesize Cr2O3 nanopowders using EDTA as a chelating agent

Chromium oxide nanopowders were successfully synthesized using Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a chelating agent. The effects of process parameters such as pH and temperature were investigated. Cr2O3 nanopowders were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurements, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The synthesized nanopowders were non-agglomerated and spherical. The surface area of Cr2O3 nanopowders was 81.05 m2/g. This is greater than one obtained by citrate gel method. The conditional formation constants for various species of EDTA were calculated. Furthermore, the major equations of the production of chromium-EDTA were derived.

Graphical abstractChromium oxide nanopowders with high surface area were successfully synthesized using sol-gel method. Chromium (III) nitrate nonahydrate was the starting material and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was used as a chelating agent for the first time. The synthesized nanopowders were loosely agglomerated and have a well defined spherical morphology and uniform average size of 23–35 nm.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A novel method to synthesize Cr2O3 nanoparticles using EDTA was developed. ► The conditional formation constants for various species of EDTA were calculated. ► The major equations of the production of chromium-EDTA were derived. ► Effect of temperature and pH on synthesize of the nanoparticles was studied.