Liquid-phase synthesis and physicochemical properties of xerogels, nanopowders and thin films of the CeO2–Y2O3 system

Abstract

Low-agglomerated xerogels, ultrafine oxide powders with particle sizes of 12–20 nm, and uniform thin films with particle sizes of 8–14 nm are prepared in the CeO2–Y2O3 system using liquid-phase low-temperature methods, namely via coprecipitation of hydroxides and cocrystallization of salts, sol—gel technology. A comparative characterization of the prepared xerogels and nanopowders is performed using a set of physicochemical analytical methods. A dependence of phase composition, microstructure, and particle size on synthetic parameters is elucidated.