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Synthesis and oxidation stability of monosized and monocrystalline Pr nanoparticles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Shubhra Kala ,
Bodh Raj Mehta ,
Frank Einar Kruis  and
Vidya Nand Singh
Bodh Raj Mehta*
Affiliation:
Thin Film Laboratory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
Frank Einar Kruis
Affiliation:
Institute for Technology of Nanostructures, University of Duisburg-Essen, 47057 Duisburg, Germany
Vidya Nand Singh
Affiliation:
Thin Film Laboratory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
*
a) Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: brmehta@physics.iitd.ernet.in
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Abstract

This study reports the synthesis of monosized Pr nanoparticles with a controllable size ranging from 5 to 20 nm. Pr agglomerates generated by a spark generator first size-selected by a differential mobility analyzer and subsequently sintered in-flight at different temperatures result in spherical and monocrystalline Pr nanoparticles. The dependence of size and size distribution of Pr nanoparticles has been studied as a function of deposition parameters related to spark generator, differential mobility analyzer, and sintering. Transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray analysis, glancing angle x-ray diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies confirm that initial Pr agglomerates and the resulting nanoparticles are metallic with d-hexagonal structure and remain stable in air during post-deposition exposure. Incomplete or partially sintered nanoparticles were found to be oxidized, resulting in the formation of amorphous oxide phase due to enhanced oxidation at grain boundaries.

Keywords

NanostructurePrTransmission electron microscopy (TEM)
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 24 , Issue 7 , July 2009 , pp. 2276 - 2285
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2009

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