Novel synthesis of ultra-fine Sb2O3 nanocubes using plant extract.

In this study, the synthesis of ultra-fine grade antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) using plant extract for the first time is reported. Antimony chloride was used as a starting material and Dioscorea alata tuber extract was used as a reducing and capping agent. The synthesised nanoparticles were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. XRD analysis indicates the formation of pure Sb2O3 nanoparticles. The result from FE-SEM and DLS showed that the particles have a cube-like morphology and have an average size of 346.4 nm which falls within the range of ultra-fine grade Sb2O3.