Facile synthesis of ceria nanospheres by Ce(OH)CO3 precursors

Spherical Ce(OH)CO3 precursors were prepared via a facile and an efficient hydrothermal process without hard templates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the as-synthesized spherical precursors are composed of high-purity Ce(OH)CO3 with a hexagonal structure. After calcination at 573 K for 10 h, the spherical Ce(OH)CO3 precursors decompose into CeO2 nanospheres with a cubic fluorite structure. We also find that morphology of the Ce(OH)CO3 precursors and CeO2 nanospheres is modified significantly as a function of the different surfactants used in the hydrothermal process. When using PEG surfactant, the Ce(OH)CO3 precursors and CeO2 nanospheres turn compact with wrinkles on surface, while they appear like nanospheres formed by aggregated nanoparticles when the PVP surfactant is used. The CeO2 nanospheres prepared by both surfactants exhibit excellent ultraviolet shelter ability and hold promise for a wide range of technological applications.