Formation and properties of hydrophobic CeO2 nanoparticles

Uniform hydrophobic cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles in a cubic structure with an average size of 4.6 nm were obtained by a novel oil-water interface method in the presence of 0.40 M NaOH. Effects of reactants concentration, oxidation reaction temperature, and the type of surfactants on the final products were investigated. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, room-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. The products exhibited high luminescence and strong hydrophobicity. The data suggest that Ce(OH) x 4−x (x < 4) is a precursor complex for the formation of CeO2 nanoparticles in liquid phase and its concentration controls the size of CeO2 particles. The adsorption of the surfactant influences the formation of the hydrophobic particles of CeO2 by the oil-water interface method.