Preparation and characterization of ceria nanoparticles by microwave-assisted solvothermal process

Nanocrystalline ceria particles were successfully prepared under mild conditions of temperature and pressure by microwave-assisted technique from a diethylene glycol solution containing metal nitrate and hexamine as precipitating agent. As-prepared powder and further thermal treatment samples were characterized in terms of crystalline structure and phase purity, particle shape and size distribution using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, textural (surface area and porosity) and thermal (DTA-TG) analysis. It was found that the morphology of the as-prepared powder is sphere-like with an average particle size of about 3 nm and narrow size distribution. Textural analysis revealed high specific surface area (180 m2/g) and microporous structure of as-prepared CeO2. After thermal treatment, an increase in the degree of crystallinity and shift of pore size distrubution towards mesoporous region was observed. The properties of microwave-assisted solvothermal prepared ceria make them an advanced material suitable for use in optical, catalytic or high-tech ceramic applications.