A facile green synthesis of Sm2O3 nanoparticles via microwave-assisted urea precipitation route and their optical properties

Samarium oxide (Sm2O3) nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution were successfully synthesized by microwave-assisted using urea as precipitant without surfactant or template. The Sm2O3 particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, field-emission transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared spectrophotometer. The results showed that the samples prepared with different concentration of urea had different particle sizes. When the concentration of urea was 1.2 mol/L, the sample had the smallest particle size. A possible mechanism for the formation of the nanoparticles was proposed. Optical properties of Sm2O3 nanoparticles showed that the nanoparticles had a strong absorption property in the deep ultraviolet region between 200 nm and 270 nm.