Indium oxide (In 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles using Aloe vera plant extract: Synthesis and optical properties

Abstract

In2O3 nanoparticles with particle sizes of 5-50 nm were synthesized by a simple, cost effective and environmental friendly route using indium acetylacetonate and Aloe vera plant extracted solution. The precursor was characterized by TG-DTA to determine the thermal decomposition and crystallization temperature which was found to be at above 350 °C. Nanoparticles are formed after calcination the dried precursor of In2O3 in air at 400-600°C for 2 h. Structural, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized. XRD and TEM analysis showed that the In2O3 samples are cubic with particle sizes of 5-50 nm. The morphology and size of In2O3 materials were affected by the calcination temperature. The prepared In2O3 nanoparticles showed a strong PL emission in the UV region. The strong emissions of In2O3 are attributed to the radioactive recombination of an electron occupying oxygen vacancies with a photo-excited hole. The present work proves that the Aloe vera plant-extracted solution synthesis is a new useful method using cheap precursors for preparation of In2O3 nanoparticles.