Production of high porosity nanoparticles of cerium oxide in clay

Cerium oxide nanoparticles modified montmorillonite was obtained by interaction of a clay with (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6. The mean size of cerium oxide nanoparticles in clay was at 3.5 nm. The product was an amorphous solid and showed high permanent porosity and stability at high temperatures. The amorphous structure of the sample was proven by X-ray diffraction and electronic diffraction. The porous structure was studied by means of chemisorption and it was shown that samples calcined at 550 °C had SBET = 239 m2/g; micropore volume = 0.1839 cm3/g; average pore diameter = 3.07 nm.