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Synthesis and characterizations of pure size-controlled palladium oxide (PdO) nanoparticles via a modified thermal treatment route

by Ayser S. Keiteb and Mohammed M. Sabri

Submission summary

Authors (as registered SciPost users):

Aysar S. Keiteb

Abstract

Using deionized water, polyvinylpyrrolidone as a capping agent, palladium (II) nitrate dihydrate, Pd (NO3)2.2H2O as the metal precursor and a modified thermal treatment technique, palladium oxide (PdO) with nanocrystalline structures was successfully produced. The unadulterated nanocrystalline was obtained by calcining the homogenous solution directly to produce the powder. Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to confirm this. PVP functions to cap the agglomeration, stabilize particle growth and disintegrate at 436 °C when heated. As crystallinity rose, different peak spectra in FTIR spectra were associated with higher temperatures. PVP was used to boost the calcination temperatures from 500 to 800 °C in order to modify the size and optical properties of the nanoparticles. The average particle sizes from XRD spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs were found to be 22 nm at 500 °C and 46 nm at 800 °C as the calcination temperature increased, according to Scherrer's equation, which is in good agreement with TEM particle size estimations. Utilizing ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, the optical properties were investigated and discovered that the fused boundaries and quick enlargement of the particle surface area caused the band gap energy to fall with increasing calcination temperature, from 2.09 eV at 500 °C to 1.63 eV at 800 °C. Size-controlled PdO NPs were easily produced with a decrease in synthesis time and energy usage by excluding drying procedure (24 hours) from the current heat treatment method. These nanoparticles are appropriate for mass production of various applications.

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