Synthesis of In2O3nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of a citrate gel precursor

This paper describes the synthesis of indium oxide by a modified sol–gel method, and the study of thermal decomposition of the metal complex in air. The characterization of the intermediate as well as the final compounds was carried out by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and small angle X-ray scattering. The results show that the indium complex decomposes to In2O3 with the formation of an intermediate compound. Nanoparticles of cubic In2O3 with crystallite sizes in the nanosize range were formed after calcination at temperatures up to 900°C. Calcined materials are characterized by a polydisperse distribution of spherical particles with sharp and smooth surfaces.