Synthesis and characterization of the nanometric Pr-doped ceria

Abstract

In this paper nanometric powders of solid solution of the host compound ceria (CeO 2) with Pr dopant in the lattice were synthesized by self-propagating room temperature (SPRT) synthesis with composition (Ce 0.9Pr 0.1O 2− δ ). Powder properties such as specific surface area crystallite and particle size and lattice parameters have been studied. BET, TEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Raman scattering measurements were used to characterize the samples at room temperature. Obtained solid solution exhibits a fluorite-type crystal structure. The average crystallite size is about 3–4 nm. Williamson–Hall plots were used to separate the effect of the size and strain in the nanocrystals. It is noticed the redshift and asymmetric broadening of the Raman F 2g mode which is explained with nanocrystalline nature of powders. Color characters of solid solution depending on calcinations temperature and their position in the chromaticity diagram were studied by UV–vis spectrophotometry (diffuse reflectance).