Green Synthesis and Characterization of Chromium Oxide Nanoparticles
Summary
Chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention for their magnetic, catalytic and antibacterial properties, as well as for applications in energy storage and environmental remediation. Green synthesis routes employ biological extracts—from plants, fungi or algae—as both reducing and stabilizing agents, thereby avoiding hazardous chemicals and high energy inputs. Typical protocols involve mixing an aqueous chromium precursor with a bioextract under mild conditions, followed by ageing, washing and drying to yield fine, often spherical, Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles. Control of size, morphology and crystallinity is achieved by varying extract concentration, reaction temperature and pH. Comprehensive characterisation is essential to establish phase purity and functional properties: X-ray diffraction reveals crystal structure and crystallite size; electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) depicts particle shape and size distribution; spectroscopies (FTIR, Raman, UV–Vis, XPS) confirm oxidation state, surface chemistry and optical band gap. These analyses underpin optimisation of performance in photocatalysis, antimicrobial coatings and supercapacitors. The eco-friendly approach not only aligns with sustainability goals but often enhances biocompatibility and catalytic efficiency through surface functionalisation by phytochemicals, enabling scalable production of Cr₂O₃ nanomaterials with tunable properties.
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Green Synthesis and Characterization of Chromium Oxide Nanoparticles publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in green synthesis and characterization of chromium oxide nanoparticles across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Green synthesis: A fabrication strategy using biological resources as reducing and capping agents to produce nanoparticles without toxic reagents.
Crystallinity: The degree to which atoms in a solid are arranged in a periodic lattice, influencing mechanical and electronic properties.
Capping agent: A molecule or biomolecule that binds to nanoparticle surfaces to control growth and prevent aggregation.
Band gap: The energy difference between the valence and conduction bands of a semiconductor, determining optical absorption edges.
Photocatalysis: Acceleration of a chemical reaction by light in the presence of a catalyst, often utilising semiconductor nanoparticles.
References
- Green synthesis of Cr2O3 nanoparticles by Cassia fistula, their electrochemical and antibacterial potential. Arabian Journal of Chemistry (2023).
- A study on green synthesis, characterization of chromium oxide nanoparticles and their enzyme inhibitory potential. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022).
- Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine-B and Water Densification via Eco-Friendly Synthesized Cr2O3 and Ag@Cr2O3 Using Garlic Peel Aqueous Extract. Nanomaterials (2024).
- Green Nanotechnology: Recent Research on Bioresource‐Based Nanoparticle Synthesis and Applications. Journal of Chemistry (2022).
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