Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026

08:49
Atomically Defined Templates for Epitaxial Growth of Complex Oxide Thin Films
Published on: December 4, 2014
A simple method to synthesize Dy(OH)(3) and Dy(2)O(3) nanotubes
An-Wu Xu1, Yue-Ping Fang, Li-Ping You
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|February 6, 2003
Summary
Researchers synthesized dysprosium(III) hydroxide (Dy(OH)(3)) and dysprosium(III) oxide (Dy(2)O(3)) nanotubes using a simple hydrothermal method. This technique also produced holmium nanotubes, indicating a versatile approach for rare-earth oxide nanomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Inorganic Chemistry
Background:
- Rare-earth metal oxides are crucial in various applications.
- Developing efficient synthesis methods for nanostructured rare-earth materials is essential.
- Previous methods for producing rare-earth nanotubes were limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first synthesis of dysprosium(III) hydroxide (Dy(OH)(3)) and dysprosium(III) oxide (Dy(2)O(3)) nanotubes.
- To explore the applicability of the synthesis method for other rare-earth elements.
- To elucidate the growth mechanism of the nanotubes.
Main Methods:
- Facile hydrothermal treatment of bulky Dy(2)O(3) crystals.
- Calcination of Dy(OH)(3) nanotubes to yield Dy(2)O(3) nanotubes.
- Application of the same method to synthesize holmium(III) hydroxide (Ho(OH)(3)) and holmium(III) oxide (Ho(2)O(3)) nanotubes.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized Dy(OH)(3) nanotubes for the first time.
- Produced Dy(2)O(3) nanotubes via calcination of the hydroxide precursor.
- Achieved synthesis of Ho(OH)(3) and Ho(2)O(3) nanotubes using the identical hydrothermal approach.
- Identified dissolution-recrystallization as the primary growth mechanism.
Conclusions:
- The facile hydrothermal method is effective for synthesizing rare-earth hydroxide and oxide nanotubes.
- The method is adaptable for producing nanotubes of different rare-earth elements like holmium.
- The dissolution-recrystallization process is key to nanotube formation in this system.
Related Concept Videos
Diazonium Group Substitution: –OH and –H
Nitrous acid, a weak acid, is prepared in situ via the reaction of sodium nitrite with a strong acid under cold conditions. This nitrous acid prepared in situ reacts with primary arylamines to form arenediazonium salts. Such reactions are known as diazotization reactions. As shown in Figure 1, the formation of arenediazonium salts begins with the decomposition of nitrous acid in an acidic solution to give nitrosonium ions.
1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Mechanism
Nitrous acid is a relatively weak and unstable acid prepared in situ by the reaction of sodium nitrite and cold, dilute hydrochloric acid. In an acidic solution, the nitrous acid undergoes protonation when it loses water to form a nitrosonium ion—an electrophile. Nitrous acid reacts with primary amines to give diazonium salts. The reaction is called diazotization of primary amines.

