Ceria- and Cu-Doped Ceria Nanocrystals Synthesized by the Hydrothermal Methods

Abstract

Ceria- or Cu-doped ceria nanocrystals with a uniform diameter of about 4–5 nm have been successfully synthesized directly via a hydrothermal treatment of the precipitate Ce(OH)3 (purple) or Cu-doped Ce(OH)3 in a strongly basic solution of sodium hydroxide at 180°C for 24 h. The formation of the nanocrystals involves the transformation of Ce (III) to Ce (IV) under the hydrothermal conditions. The as-synthesized ceria- and Cu-doped ceria crystalline nanoparticles have high specific surface areas, pore volumes, and pore sizes.