Fabrication of rod-like CeO2: Characterization, optical and electrochemical properties

One-dimensional CeO2 nanoparticles were obtained via the thermal treatment of cerium oxalate nanorods, which were synthesized through a convenient precipitation route. The morphology of the precursor was maintained during the heating process, while the size of the subunits was tailored by adjusting the calcining temperature. The optical absorption spectrum indicates that the direct band gaps of CeO2 decreases from 3.95 to 3.86 eV as the calcination temperature increases from 500 to 800 °C. Thus-prepared nanostructured CeO2 with subunits of about 15 nm exhibited a first discharge specific capacity of 574 mAh g−1 vs. Li metal, much higher than that of the sample with bigger building blocks (30 nm, 519 mAh g−1).