A new simple synthesis and characterization of Sm-doped ceria and its homogeneous precursor [Ce0.80Sm0.20(Ac)3(Gly)]n

A new method for the synthesis of Ce0.80Sm0.20O1.90 is presented. A drying of a solution of ethylene glycol and stoichiometric amounts of the acetates Ce(C2H3O2)3·xH2O and Sm(C2H3O2)3·xH2O resulted in a highly crystalline product of [Ce0.80Sm0.20(C2H3O2)3(C2H6O2)]n, a new chained polymeric coordination compound. With the calcination of this precursor at 900 °C and sintering at 1150 °C, pure Ce0.80Sm0.20O1.90, was obtained with the desired homogeneity and density. This paper reports elemental (CHN and ICP-MS) and single crystal X-ray structure analyses of the precursor [Ce0.80Sm0.20(C2H3O2)3(C2H6O2)]n. Its thermal decomposition to Ce0.80Sm0.20O1.90 has been studied via HT-XRD and TG–DTA analysis. The structure and composition of Ce0.80Sm0.20O1.90 was also confirmed by powder XRD (Rietveld refinement).