Preparation of chromium oxide nanoparticles by decomposition of [Cr(urea)₆(NO3)₃] complex by microwave irradiation

The present study aimed to prepare chromium oxide nanoparticles from the decomposition of [Cr (urea) ₆ (NO3) ₃] complex by microwave irradiation. In this study, Cr2O3 nanoparticles were prepared from the decomposition of the [[Cr(urea)₆(NO3)₃] quickly and cleanly in 10 minutes. The product was identified using FT-IR, XRD, SEM and EDX analyses. All data showed that these compounds were formed in pure phase with a particle size of less than 30 nm. Also, nanoparticles of this oxide can be used in a wide range of areas such as electronic devices, heterogeneous catalysts, solar energy and optical materials. Many Metal Oxide Nanoparticles (MONPs) are synthesized by various methods in industry and laboratory. The development of new methods for the synthesis of MONPs is a general and essential aspect of chemistry. Heating by microwaves is one of the most essential applications of these waves and has been well-used in various chemical reactions in the last few decades. Some of the advantages of using microwaves are: (i) cost-effectiveness, (ii) increasing the load-bearing capacity of mineral and ceramic materials, which reduces the size of particles (grains) and increases the density, resulting in strengthening the mechanical properties of the produced minerals, (iii) reducing the possibility of contamination, (iv) the ability to penetrate (diffuse) into glasses and other objects, and (v) microwave can promote the reactions in a closed system well. Examples of chemical reactions by microwaves are various organic and inorganic syntheses, non-selective absorption, oxidation and reduction reactions, polymerization, synthesis of some nanoparticles, and catalytic reactions