Characterization of Cr(III)-Zr(IV) mixed and Sn(II) doped hydrous oxides

Surface and structural properties of chromium-zirconium mixed and Sn(II)doped hydrous oxide gels have been compared with chromium oxide hydrate gel by the use of thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and magnetic measurements. The mixed and doped oxide gels were found to have a hexagonal close packed stacking of O, OH and H₂O ligands with chromium ions distributed in octahedral sites with little degree of order among them. The microstructure of the gels are characterized by the presence of large aggregates of chromium hydroxides, fine granular sheets due to HCrO₂ phase and Cr(OH)₃ microcrystallites. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate anti-ferromagnetic behaviour of these gels.