Fractal and agglomeration behavior in Gd and Sm doped CeO2 nano-crystalline powders

Nanocrystalline Gd, Sm doped ceria powders were synthesized by a combustion technique, using glycine as the fuel. These powders, after calcination at 600 °C, were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and were found to be phase pure. The crystallite sizes, as calculated from X-ray line broadening were in the range of 11-13 nm, which were in close agreement with those obtained from the SAXS studies. The TEM studies also showed the particle sizes to be in the range of 10-15 nm. These powders showed a high surface area as observed from BET technique. The extent and nature of agglomeration was studied by a particle size analyzer. The fractal behaviour of these nano-sized powders prepared by combustion synthesis, has also been investigated by small angle X-ray scattering technique. Results showed that the powders contain aggregates with rough fractal surfaces above a length scale of 20 nm. These parameters of the powders and their agglomerates were found to play a significant role in the sintering behavior.