Oxygen partial pressure effect on synthesis and characteristics of Sb2O3 nanoparticles

Influence of the oxygen partial pressure (0.5×103 Pa to 4×103 Pa) on synthesis and characteristics of Sb2O3 nanoparticles evaporated from the pure antimony by means of hybrid induction and laser heating (HILH) method in a flowing Ar+O2 atmosphere has been systematically investigated using TEM, XRD, XPS, DSC, TGA, and UV-Vis-NIR spectrometry. The as-synthesized Sb2O3 nanopowder consists of small spherical particles with an average size of approximately 80 nm. As the oxygen partial pressure increases from 0.5×103 Pa to 4×103 Pa, the metallic Sb content in the nanopowder was decreased markedly. Both optical property at visible and all far infrared light scope ranging from 360 to 2500 nm and thermal characteristic of the Sb2O3 nanoparticles are strongly dependent on the oxygen partial pressure.