Synthesis, Characterization And Acute Aquatic Toxicity Of Samarium Oxide Nanoparticles To Freshwater Green Algae

The article describes the preparation of samarium oxide nanoparticles (nano Sm2O3) via thermal decomposition of a transient complex formed in situ from Sm(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O and glycine and its acute aquatic toxicity to Chlorella vulgaris. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction analysis, which showed the Sm2O3 nanoparticles to be with the crystallite size of 11 nm. Morphology of the Sm2O3 nanoparticles was examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Electron diffraction observed in transmission electron microscopy corresponds to the results obtained from X-ray diffraction analysis. The elemental composition of the product was confirmed by EDS analysis. Freshwater green algae (C. vulgaris) served as a model organism for evaluation of acute aquatic toxicity. Effective concentration of toxicity EC50 was determined for the concentration of 2.43 gr.l(-1), of Sm2O3 nanoparticles in the fresh water green algae strain.