Synthesis of bismuth oxide nanoparticles by citrate gel method

A mixture of bismuth nitrate and citric acid solution is taken in 1:1 molar ratio and heated on hot water bath. A gel is formed on evaporation of the water, which on decomposition at 400 °C produces nanocrystalline Bi2O3 particles. Formation of nanocrystallites of Bi2O3 is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) investigations revealed that the average particle size is 50 nm for these powders.