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Synthesis and oxidation stability of monosized and monocrystalline Pr nanoparticles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

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.

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Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2009

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