Synthesis of CeO2 assemblies through interaction with short-chain dicarboxylic acids under facile hydrothermal conditions

CeO2 assemblies with various morphologies were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method using short-chain dicarboxylic acids as the only added agent. It is demonstrated that the morphology of CeO2 assemblies depends on the chain-length of the dicarboxylic acids. The reaction with propanedioic acid (PA) results in durian-like ceria assemblies. Comparatively, ethanedioic acid (EA) tends to precipitate with Ce3+ at the beginning, and then guides the formation of lamellar octahedral assemblies. The catalytic performance towards CO oxidation of the as-synthesized CeO2 with different morphologies was investigated. Compared with lamellar octahedral assemblies, durian-like CeO2 assemblies showed better catalytic performance, giving complete CO conversion at 350 °C, due to its properties of unique oxygen vacancies, loosely packed pore structure and larger specific surface area.