Inverse Co-precipitation Synthesis of Copper Chromite Nanoparticles

Abstract

<em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 120%; letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-bidi-language: FA;">In this study, c</span></em><em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 120%; letter-spacing: .1pt;">opper chromite (CuCr₂O₄) nanoparticles was prepared by inverse co-precipitation method. In this method, cupric nitrate trihydrate, (Cu (NO₃)₂.3H₂O) and chromium nitrate nonahydrate, (Cr (NO₃) 3.9H₂O) with a mole ratio of 1:2 were used. Characterization of CuCr₂O₄ nanoparticles was performed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD), Thermo-Gravimetric/Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG-DSC), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). The results show that CuCr₂O₄crystal can be obtained at temperature 520 ^°C. Also, phase structure of the CuCr₂O₄depends on both Cu:Cr molar ratio and temperature in the starting reactants. Based on this method and under optimum conditions, the temperature for calcination (520 ^oC), the crystallite size of nanoparticles (18 nm), the spherical structure particles (30 to 70 nm) were obtained.</span></em>