Synthesis of Nb2O5·nH2O nanoparticles by water-in-oil microemulsion

Hydrous niobium oxide (Nb2O5·nH2O) nanoparticles had been successfully prepared by water-in-oil microemulsion. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG/DTG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BET surface area measurement, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the nanoparticle was exactly Nb2O5·nH2O with spherical shape. Their BET surface area was 60 m2 g−1. XRD results showed that Nb2O5·nH2O nanoparticles with crystallite size in nanometer scale were formed. The crystallinity and crystallity size increased with increasing annealing temperature. TT-phase of Nb2O5 was obtained when the sample is annealed at 550 °C.