Inverse Co-precipitation Synthesis of Copper Chromite Nanoparticles

In this study, copper chromite (CuCr2O4) nanoparticles was prepared by inverse co-precipitation method. In this method, cupric nitrate trihydrate, (Cu (NO3)(2)center dot 3H(2)O) and chromium nitrate nonahydrate, (Cr (NO3) 3.9H(2)O) with a mole ratio of 1:2 were used. Characterization of CuCr2O4 nanoparticles was performed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD), Thermo-Gravimetric/Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG-DSC), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). The results show that CuCr2O4 crystal can be obtained at temperature 520 degrees C. Also, phase structure of the CuCr2O4 depends on both Cu: Cr molar ratio and temperature in the starting reactants. Based on this method and under optimum conditions, the temperature for calcination (520 degrees C), the crystallite size of nanoparticles (18 nm), the spherical structure particles (30 to 70 nm) were obtained.