The thermal decomposition of metal carboxylates in organic solution is a widely applied and general method for the synthesis of metal oxide nanocrystals. While these reactions are known to produce highly uniform nanocrystals with narrow size distributions, a detailed mechanism to describe their formation process, comparable to those used to design organic molecules, has yet to be developed. A mechanistic understanding of the formation process would facilitate systematic tuning of nanocrystal shapes, dimensions, and forms, providing a gateway towards synthesis of a broader range of materials. In order to achieve full optimization of nanocrystal production by this method, the role of organic constituents in their formation must be considered. To this end, we have monitored the synthesis of iron oxide nanocrystals from iron carboxylates in order to establish the relationship between carboxylate deoxygenation and nanocrystal nucleation and growth. We have characterized not only the nanocrystals themselves, but also the organic decomposition products using gas and liquid phase analysis. Further, we have demonstrated how these organic by-products, notably CO, can be exploited to deposit graphite on the nanocrystal surfaces. These graphite-encapsulated nanocrystals are promising materials for applications in magnetic separation.<br/>

Carboxylate decomposition: A critical step in high temperature synthesis of metal oxide nanocrystals

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.