Synthesis and structural characterization of ceria nanoparticle agglomerates with shape inherited from an oxalate precursor

Abstract In this work, cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) were synthesized by thermal decomposition of cerium oxalate decahydrate Ce 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 ·10H 2 O. Although a large amount of water was removed along with CO 2 , the product of decomposition retained the shape of the precursor crystal, i.e. a pseudomorph formed. The Ce 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 ·10H 2 O precursor crystals were of plate-like shape; this shape was inherited by CeO 2 formed upon decomposition of the precursor. CeO 2 plates with a thickness of less than 15 µm were transparent to visible light. X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy and specific surface area measurements indicated that the plates consisted of CeNPs 4–6 nm in size. The influence of the annealing temperature on the growth of crystallites of the pseudomorph was studied. Fast coarsening of the crystallites started at a temperature of 500 °C.