Facile hydrothermal synthesis of CeO2 nanosheets with high reactive exposure surface

CeO2 nanosheets with (1 1 0) dominated surface were synthesized for the first time by a facile one-step hydrothermal method without the assistance of any surfactant or template. The role of NH3·H2O on tailoring the morphology of CeO2 nanocrystals was investigated. It was found the NH3·H2O not only serves as the precipitant, but also acts as structural direction agent in the formation of (1 1 0)-dominated CeO2 nanosheets. Raman and XRD spectra showed that the sample has a cubic fluorite structure. Compared with bulk CeO2 materials, the prepared CeO2 nanosheets exhibit an obvious blue-shift in UV absorbance. The increase of the direct band gap energy of the obtained sample exceeds 8%. This method provides an environmentally friendly way for preparing CeO2 nanostructures and tailoring their morphology. It may also be extended to the synthesis of other nanomaterials.

► For the first time, (1 1 0)-dominated CeO2 nanosheets are obtained by a facile route.
► NH3·H2O plays a critical role in tailoring the morphology of the CeO2 nanocrystals.
► NH3·H2O serves as not only the precipitant, but also the structural direction agent.
► The precursor does not need to obtain before the synthesized process.
► Excluding the use of organic additives, the method provides a green chemistry route.