Template-free, surfactantless route to fabricate In(OH)(3) monocrystalline nanoarchitectures and their conversion to In2O3

In this work, a one-dimensional microrod-based three-dimensional flowerlike indium hydroxide (In(OH)(3)) structure was fabricated, without any templates or surfactants, using a well-known hydrothermal approach at a non-high temperature. In2O3 with similar morphology was formed by annealing In(OH)3 precursors and was characterized by Raman spectrum and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum in detail. The properties of the obtained In(OH)(3) composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of the experimental parameters such as the alkaline source selection, the concentration of urea, and the temperature on the morphology are discussed. These results indicate that the aligned superstructure originated from the oriented attachment of small particles.