Synthesis and characterization of CeO2 thin film with well-ordered step edges

• Nanoscale ceria thin films are synthesized by a template-free hydrothermal method.
• As a green synthesis technology, no any surfactant was added in the process.
• Well-ordered step edges were found on the ceria film surface.
• The ceria films have more planar stacking faults than particles and rods.
• And the films have lower band gap energy than that of particles and rods.

A simple hydrothermal precipitation method is created to synthesize CeO2 thin film by self-organization at the normal temperature and atmospheric pressure. Nano-thick CeO2 films with well-ordered step edges covering the surface are fabricated in alkali solution without any substrate and surfactant. Owing to the one dimensional step edge structure, the CeO2 films have a higher fault probability and more active zone, which are of great potential as functional materials.