Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Gadolinium Oxide Nanostructure via Facile Process

A facile method to selectively synthesize nano-scaled Gd₂O₃ with different morphology such as nanosheres and nanorods has been developed in our report. The precursors GdOHCO₃ can be prepared by a two-step hydrothermal process via homogeneous generation of hydroxide ions through the hydrolysis of urea, and the formation of different morphology structures were obtained under different reaction temperatures. After further heating treatment, a transformation from GdOHCO₃ to cubic Gd₂O₃ takes place. The morphology and size of nano Gd₂O₃ strongly depend on that of the precursors GdOHCO₃. The X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the as-obtained low-dimensional nanostructures. And the effects of hydrothermal temperature, solvent and urea concentration on the morphologies of the products were also studied.