Synthesis and Characterization of Cr2O3 Nanoparticles with Triethanolamine in Water under Microwave Irradiation

Cr2O3 nanoparticles were prepared using Cr(NO3)3.9H2O as starting material, triethanolamine (TEA) as template and water as green solvent under microwave irradiation. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectroscopy. The size distribution of individual particles were determined to be about 25-70 nm. The catalytic activity of the prepared Cr2O3 nanoparticles was found to be more active than the bulk sample in the epoxidation of norbornene with 70% activity and 95% selectivity.