Abstract:
This contribution reports first time synthesis of Cr2O3 nanostructures from chromium (III)
chloride hexahydrate precursor using Vernonia amygdalina leaves extract as a reducing and
stabilizing agent. Powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and
scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to study the structural and morphological
properties of the as-synthesized Cr2O3 nanostructures. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns spectral
analysis showed that hexagonal Cr2O3 nanostructures with an average crystallite size of 23.4 nm
were synthesized with the minor appearance of CrO2. SEM images showed that the synthesized
nanomaterials are granules. Fourier-transform infrared spectra represent a sharp absorption band
at 552 cm-1
, which indicates Cr-O-Cr vibrational and stretching modes.