Nanostructured cerium (IV) oxide (CeOx: x = 1.5 to 2), also known as nanoceria is a basic oxide exhibits as cubic fluorite structure. It has unique catalytic properties because of its ability to interchangeability exist in Ce3+/Ce4+ oxidation state and has high surface area to volume ratio with a greater amount of oxygen vacancy defects when compared to bulk. There are many synthetic routes involving sol-gel method, hydrothermal method microwave synthesis has been reported for the production of ceria, but they are expensive, time consuming or require elevated temperature or pressure. Recently, we reported the synthesis of ceria nanoparticles with 2-to-5 nm diameters by directly bubbling ozone through alcohol solutions of cerium (III) salts with reaction yield ca. 10%. We found out; we can increase the reaction yield over 90% by controlling the acidity of the reaction mixture with acetate with the direct ozonation method. This report showing the effects of this methodology on the physical characteristics of the NPs through thorough characterization of the produced nanoparticles, the effect of increasing lithium acetate to cerium nitrate ratios was explored to demonstrate the relationships between product yield, acetate concentration, crystallinity, and size distribution of nanoparticles. For further studies, Ceria can be doped with other elements (like Ru, Ni, Cu Zn) since ionic radius of these dopants are comparable to Ce3+/Ce4+ ionic states and due to its ability to exist in Ce3+/Ce4+ states. We can study the effect of dopant on ceria nanoparticles crystallinity, size distribution and their ability to produce reactive oxygen species. Our long term goal is to design a plasma reactor and study the effect of plasma on differently doped nano ceria for methanol production.

Acetate assisted synthesis of ceria nanoparticles: Effect of dopant for the production of reactive oxygen species

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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