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A New Reduction Route for the Synthesis of Nanoscale Metals and Metal Oxides with Ascorbic Acid at Low Temperature

M. Khorasani-Motlagh*, M. Noroozifar and H. Shahroosvand

Department of Chemistry, University of Sistan & Baluchestan, P.O. Box 98155-147, Zahedan, Iran

Reduction of the transition metal complexes in aqueous solution has been investigated systematically by ascorbic acid as the reducing agent without the assistance of any surfactant. Nanoparticles of ±-Mn₂O₃, Ag and Cu were synthesized directly through aqueous phase reduction at room temperature. Nanoscale metal oxides such as Co₃O₄, ±-Fe₂O₃ and MoO₂ were obtained through ascorbic acid reduction in alkali medium at 40šC. All the products were characterized on their structure and micro-morphology by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The particle size of metal and metal oxides was about 10-50 nm. The reaction details and features were described and discussed.

Keywords: Nanoparticle, Metal, Metal oxide, Reducing agent, Ascorbic acid