The Effect of Conventional and Sonochemical Synthesis Methods on Gd2O3 Nanoparticles Properties

Muflikhah Muflikhah (Research Center for Radiation Detection and Nuclear Analysis Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN),)
W. Z. Lubis (Research Center for Radiation Detection and Nuclear Analysis Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN))
R. P. Caesariyanti (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, The Islamic University of Indonesia)
Mujamilah Mujamilah (Research Center for Radiation Detection and Nuclear Analysis Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN))

Jurnal Sains Materi Indonesia
Vol 24, No 1: OCTOBER 2022

Paramagnetic Gd2O3 nanoparticles have been widely used as a contrast agent in bioimaging such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In this study, Gd2O3 nanoparticles were prepared using conventional and sonochemically precipitation methods, without any stabilizers. Gadolinium nitrate was used as a precursor and ammonium hydroxide as precipitating agent. The synthesized Gd2O3 nanoparticles were characterized using X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). It was found that Gd2O3 nanoparticles obtained in both methods have a cubic phase. The saturation magnetization (Ms) values of conventional and sonochemical samples were 1.63 emu/g and 1.44 emu/g respectively. The morphology of both samples shows agglomerated spherical shape in the nanometer range. The nanoparticles size of Gd2O3 that was confirmed by the Dynamic Light Scattering technique show samples from the sonochemical method has narrower size distribution (higher homogeneity) compare to samples from the conventional method. It was also found that the sonochemical synthesis technique is faster (time-saving), simple, convenient, and environmentally benign.