Synthesis and characterization of CePO4 nanowires via microemulsion method at room temperature

Uniform CePO4 nanowires with diameter of about 25 nm were synthesized by the water-in-oil microemulsion method at room temperature from cerous chloride, sodium orthophosphate, sodium chloride, cyclohexane, Triton X-100 and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The crystal structure and morphology of the nanowires were characterized by XRD and TEM, respectively. The UV–vis absorption was detected by UV–vis spectrophotometer techniques. The results showed that as-prepared nanowires with the hexagonal phase have obvious quantum confinement effect and semiconductor characteristics. Little sodium chloride could play a positive role on the formation of CePO4 nanowires at room temperature. The size of the nanowires can be controlled through the joining of sodium chloride.