Preparation and characterization of Nd₂O₃ nanostructures via a new facile solvent-less route

Neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃) nanostructures were synthesized via a novel facile solvent-less route. Nanostructures were prepared by heat treatment in air at 900 °C for 5 h, using [Nd L(NO₃)₂]NO₃ (L = bis-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde)-butanediamine Schiff base ligand), as precursor, which was obtained by a solvent-free solid–solid reaction from different molar ratios of neodymium nitrate and Schiff base ligand. The as-obtained nanostructures were characterized by means of techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was found that purity, morphology and particle size of the final Nd₂O₃ could be dramatically affected via the calcination temperature and molar ratio of neodymium nitrate and Schiff base ligand. The photocatalyst activity of as-prepared nanostructured Nd₂O₃ was also examined by degradation of rhodamine B as cationic dye under ultraviolet light irradiation.