Effect of calcinations temperature on the structure of Cr2O3 nanoparticles prepared by novel solvent free synthesis

Nanoparticles of chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) are widely used in many fields serving as catalysts, wear resistance materials, and advanced colorants. For the first time, we have reported the solvent free synthesis of Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles via microwave irradiation. The collected yield was then calcined at 200, 400, 600 and 800°C for 1h. Cr₂O₃ particles of average size 20 - 58 nm was calculated from the Scherrer´s formula, whose microstructures were investigated by XRD. These results indicate that there is an improvement in the crystallinity of Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles with the increase in the annealing temperature. As the process is simple and low-cost, it has the potential to be produced on a large scale.