Synthesis of Cerium Oxide (CeO$_2$) nanoparticles using simple CO-precipitation method

Abstract

Synthesis of cerium oxide (CeO$_2$) nanoparticles was studied by new and simple co-precipitation method. The cerium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using cerium nitrate and potassium carbonate precursors. Their physicochemical properties were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. XRD pattern showed the cubic structure of the cerium oxide nanoparticles. The average particle size of CeO$_2$ was around 20 nm as estimated by XRD technique and direct HRTEM observations. The surface morphological studies from SEM and TEM depicted spherical particles with formation of clusters. The sharp peaks in FTIR spectrum determined the existence of Ce-O stretching mode and the absorbance peak of UV-Vis spectrum showed the bandgap energy of 3.26 eV.