Synthesis of niobium oxide nanopowders by field-crystallization-assisted anodization

• Published in: Current applied physics Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 155 - 159
• Main Authors: Lim, Jae Hoon, Park, Gayun, Choi, Jinsub
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 2012; 한국물리학회
• Subjects: Anodic oxide; Anodizing; ethylene glycol; Field crystallization; foil; Foils; High voltages; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; niobium; Niobium oxide; Niobium oxides; physics; transmission electron microscopy; X-ray diffraction; 물리학; Nanoparticles; Anodic oxide; Niobium oxide; Field crystallization
• ISSN: 1567-1739; 1878-1675
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cap.2011.05.029

Herein, for the first time, we demonstrate that a large quantity of niobium oxide nanopowders consisting of amorphous round shape nanoparticles and highly crystalline needle shape nanoparticles can be prepared by anodization of a niobium foil in ethylene glycol containing NH 4F at a high voltage. FE-SEM, TEM, XRD measurements were performed to characterize the anodically prepared nanopowders and to reveal the formation mechanism. We ascribed the formation of niobium oxide nanopowders on the foil to field-crystallization induced breakdown of oxide film and chemical dissolution. ► A large quantity of niobium oxide nanopowders is prepared. ► The nanopowders consist of amorphous and highly crystalline nanoparticles. ► The formation of niobium oxide nanopowders is ascribed to field-crystallization.