Nanocrystalline Pr6O11: synthesis, characterization, optical and photocatalytic properties

Nanocrystalline praseodymium oxide was prepared by a novel facile precipitation route via reaction of praseodymium nitrate and triethylenetetramine (Trien) as a new precipitating agent in the presence of poly ethylene glycol (PEG). To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first successful attempt for the synthesis of nanocrystalline praseodymium oxide by using PEG via a simple precipitation route in the presence of Trien. To investigate the effect of the amount of Trien on the morphology and particle size of praseodymium oxide, several experiments were carried out. Based on the experimental findings of this research, it was found that this parameter has an important impact on the morphology and particle size of the products. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the as-obtained products were characterized by techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. To evaluate the catalytic properties of nanocrystalline praseodymium oxide, the photocatalytic degradation of 2-naphthol under ultraviolet light irradiation was carried out.