Nanoparticles are the altered form of basic elements with different atomic and molecular properties. Applications of nanoparticles vary from cosmetics to biomedicine, from electronics to optics. This article will look into the properties and applications of chromium oxide nanoparticles.
Chromium oxide (Cr2O3) occurs in nature as a rare mineral called eskolaite. These nanoparticles are predominantly used as dyes. Some of the synonyms of chromium oxide nanoparticles are chromsaeureanhydrid, trioxochromium, monochromium trioxide, chromia, green cinnabar, chrome ochre and chromtrioxid. Chromium belongs to Block D, Period 4 while oxygen belongs to Block P, Period 2 of the periodic table.
Chemical Properties
The following tables list the chemical properties of chromium oxide.
| Chemical Data |
| Chemical symbol |
Cr2O3 |
| CAS No |
1308-38-9 |
| Group |
Chromium 6
Oxygen 16 |
| Electronic configuration |
Chromium [Ar] 3d54s1
Oxygen [He] 2s2 2p4 |
| Chemical Composition |
| Element |
Content (%) |
| Chromium |
68.46 |
| Oxygen |
31.58 |
Physical Properties
Chromium oxide nanoparticles appear in the form of green crystals with a nearly spherical morphology. The table below provides the physical properties of these nanoparticles.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Density |
5.22 g/cm3 |
0.188 lb/in3 |
| Molar Mass |
151.86 g/mol |
- |
Thermal Properties
The thermal properties of chromium oxide nanoparticles are given in the table below:-
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Melting Point |
2435°C |
4415°F |
| Boling Point |
4000°C |
7232°F |
Applications
The following are the chief applications of chromium oxide:
- In glasses, inks and paints
- As the colorant in ‘chrome green’ and ‘institutional green’
- Precursor to the magnetic pigment (chromium dioxide)
- In the process of stropping knives.