Synthesis and characterization of nano cerium oxide using hydrothermal technique

Abstract

Cerium oxide rice grain like nanoparticles have been synthesized using wet chemical hydrothermal synthesis method. Hydrothermal synthesis method provides nanoparticles with unique dimension and shape due to supercritical synthesis conditions than conventional precipitation techniques. The hydrothermal synthesis of Cerium salt in the presence of urea produces Cerium carbonate hydroxide nanoparticles with rice-grain morphology, which are reduced into Cerium oxide by heat-treating at 600°C, for 4 hours, without changing its morphology. The formation of Cerium carbonate hydroxide with orthorhombic crystal structure and Cerium oxide with cubic crystal structure were confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction [XRD] spectroscopy studies. Thermo-gravimetric analysis [TGA] in inert nitrogen atmosphere and ambient air provides the reduction temperature of hydroxide and carbonate is about 600°C. Scanning electron microscope [SEM] studies show the uniform rice grain like morphology of as-prepared Cerium carbonate hydroxide and Cerium oxide, due to the reduction at elevated temperature and crystalline structural deformation Cerium oxide shows cracks and porous on its surfaces.