Sintering of Sol—Gel‐Prepared Submicrometer Particles Studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Abstract

We studied the sintering process of sol‐gel‐prepared monodisperse submicrometer CeO 2 spheres by examining the microstructural changes of single spherical particles after successive heat treatment in oxygen up to 850°C using transmission electron microscopy. Steps of organic phase removal, CeO 2 crystallization, grain growth, and particle condensation were clearly illustrated. Grain‐size and sphere‐diameter changes were measured quantitatively using this technique. CeO 2 particles were found to be highly porous until collapse, which occurred at~850°C.