Sm2O3 nanoparticles green synthesis via Callistemon viminalis' extract

In this contribution, it is demonstrated for the first time in the literature the possibility of synthesizing Sm2O3 nano-scaled particles as small as similar to 21.9 +/- 5 nm using an entirely new green process. This latter is based on the usage of natural extract of the Callistemon viminalis as a strong chelating agent at room temperature. The selected area electron diffraction and the high resolution transmission electron microscopy confirmed the polycrystallinity of the Sm2O3 nano-particles upon annealing at 500 degrees C. The complementary investigations by X-rays diffraction, infrared, Raman and X-rays photoelectron spectroscopy substantiated the single phase and the elemental purity of the Sm2O3 nano-particles. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.