Facile Synthesis of Ultrafine Gd2O3 Nanoparticles by Polyol Microwave Method

Gd2O3 nanoparticles have been quickly synthesized by a modified polyol method with microwave assistance. Triethylene glycol (TEG) was used as solvent and surfactant stabilizing agent. Systematic characterization of the TEG-coated gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (Gd2O3@TEG) showed that average particle size of 1 nm, 5 nm, and 10 nm could be obtained by changing some synthesis conditions. It was found that, after thermal treatment at 700°C, Gd2O3 nanoparticles showed uniform spherical shape with unchanged average particle size in comparison with the Gd2O3@TEG precursor. This approach is simple and rapid and can be easily scaled up and potentially extended to synthesis of other oxides.