Synthesis and atomic-scale characterization of CeO2 nano-octahedrons

•Ceria nano-octahedrons are fabricated using hydrothermal method.•Nano-octahedrons have shape corners and well-defined edges at nanoscale.•A few atomic layers are missing at the corner.•Stacking faults are present in the nano-octahedrons.

We report the synthesis of ceria nano-octahedrons using a simple yet efficient hydrothermal technique free of surfactant and template. A comprehensive microscopic characterization reveals that the nano-octahedrons exposed with eight {1 1 1} planes have shape corners and well-defined edges at the nanoscale. Atomic-resolution imaging uncovers that a couple of atomic layers are disappeared at corner, the atomic density of oxygen is reduced at surface, and there occur stacking faults inside the nano-octahedrons, which should have implications for our understanding of catalytic activity of ceria. We also propose a growth mechanism for the nano-octahedrons and provide an explanation to the easy formation of nano-octahedrons with the eight {1 1 1} facets.

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