Thermolytic Transformation of Organometallic Polymers Containing the Cr(CO)5 Precursor into Nanostructured Chromium Oxide

Abstract

Thermal treatment in air of the organometallic polymer{[NP(O2C12H8)]0.8[NP(OC6H4CH2CN • [Cr(CO)5]0.13)2]0.18}n (1) results in the formation of nanometer-size metal oxide particles. Cr particles in the 35–85 nm range, mostly 54 nm, immersed in an phosphorus oxides matrix were found. ATG studies in air suggest that the formation of the nanostructures occurs in four steps, the first involving loss of the carbonyl groups of the Cr(CO)5 fragment. The following steps involve the oxidation of the organic matter and finally the oxidation of the chromium to give the pyrolytic product. The use of these kinds of organometallic polymers as precursors for a general and potential new route to materials having metal/metal oxide nanostructures is discussed.