Growth of nano hexagon-like flake arrays cerium carbonate created with PAH as the substrate

Abstract Petals-like Ce 2 (CO 3 ) 3 on Ce 2 (CO 3 ) 3 nano hexagon-like flake arrays have been precipitatingly fabricated using PAH substrates. By changing the way of feeding, PAH concentration and aging time, petals-like Ce 2 (CO 3 ) 3 was created best when adding PAH into the Ce(NO 3 ) 3 solution, joined (NH 4 ) 2 CO 3 solution along with mixing, PAH concentration is 0.9 g/L, aging time is 4 h. A growth mechanism was proposed to account for the growth of the petals-like Ce 2 (CO 3 ) 3 with PAH as the substrate. Poly allylamine hydrochloride (PAH) is as template agent which forms π-allyl complex with Ce 3+ and controls the morphology of Ce 2 (CO 3 ) 3 particle. PAH and Ce 3+ form π-allyl complex, and then induce the formation of Ce 2 (CO 3 ) 3 crystal nucleus. And infrared spectrum analysis verified. XRD show that after adding PAH which is adsorbed on the crystal plane, the growth of Ce 2 (CO 3 ) 3 crystal is inhibited on (2 4 2), the growth is promoted on (2 0 2) which is differentiated into the new (1 5 1), (2 2 2) is unchanged, Ce 2 (CO 3 ) 3 crystal is accumulated petals shape by hexagon-like flake. UV absorption spectra show that CeO 2 as prepared precursor Ce 2 (CO 3 ) 3 after calcinations in air at high temperatures, the petal-like CeO 2 has strong UV absorption and reflection effects, and absorption interval changed significantly by the move to UVA from UVB.