Experimental Evidence for Self-Assembly of CeO2 Particles in Solution: Formation of Single-Crystalline Porous CeO2 Nanocrystals

Single-crystalline porous CeO2 nanocrystals, with sizes of ∼20 nm and pore diameters of 1–2 nm, were synthesized successfully using a hydrothermal method. Using electron tomography, we imaged the three-dimensional structure of the pores in the nanocrystals and found that the oriented aggregation of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physical chemistry. C 2012-01, Vol.116 (1), p.242-247
Main Authors: Tan, Hui Ru, Tan, Joyce Pei Ying, Boothroyd, Chris, Hansen, Thomas W, Foo, Yong Lim, Lin, Ming
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
C: Nanops and Nanostructures
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Exact sciences and technology
Low-dimensional structures (superlattices, quantum well structures, multilayers): structure, and nonelectronic properties
Materials science
Methods of nanofabrication
Nanocrystalline materials
Nanopowders
Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization
Physics
Self-assembly
Surfaces and interfaces
thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties)
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Summary:Single-crystalline porous CeO2 nanocrystals, with sizes of ∼20 nm and pore diameters of 1–2 nm, were synthesized successfully using a hydrothermal method. Using electron tomography, we imaged the three-dimensional structure of the pores in the nanocrystals and found that the oriented aggregation of small CeO2 nanoparticles resulted in the growth of CeO2 nanocrystals with an irregular truncated octahedral shape and pores extending along the ⟨110⟩ directions. Oxygen vacancies were found on the crystal surfaces and internal walls of the pores by scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. The oxygen vacancies might play an important role in oxygen diffusion in the crystals and the catalytic activities of single-crystalline porous CeO2 structures.
ISSN:1932-7447
1932-7455
DOI:10.1021/jp208340q