Formation mechanism of nanocrystalline ceria in aqueous solutions of cerium(III) nitrate and hexamethylenetetramine

Abstract

The formation mechanism of ceria nanoparticles in solutions of cerium(III) nitrate and hexamethylenetetramine has been studied for the first time, using UV/visible spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. The process has been shown to involve, as an intermediate step, the formation of cerium(III) hydroxycarbonate. The effects of synthesis temperature and solution composition on the micromorphology of the powders have been investigated.