Incorporation of cerium ions by sonication in Ni–Mg–Al layered double hydroxides

The incorporation of Ce in Ni–Mg–Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was studied by coprecipitation and under sonication. Mixed oxides were obtained by calcination. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the as-synthesized samples showed formation of well-crystallized LDHs and CeO2. Rietveld refinement was employed to calculate the content of cerium that was incorporated in the LDH structure. Sonication increased the incorporation of Ce in the structure. The specific surface areas of cerium-containing LDHs prepared by the conventional method were similar to that of free-Ce sample. Synthesis under sonication significantly increased the specific surface area. After calcination both specific surface areas and pore volumes increased compared to the corresponding LDH.