XRD and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance analysis of CeO2–ZrO2 solid solutions synthesized by combustion method

A series of ceria-incorporated zirconia (Ce1–xZrxO2, x = 0 to 1) solid solutions were prepared by employing the solution combustion synthesis route. The products were characterized by XRD and UV-Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The materials are crystalline in nature and the lattice parameters of the solid solution series follow Vegard’s law. Diffuse reflectance spectra of the solid solutions in the UV region show two intense bands at 250 and 297 nm which are assigned respectively to Ce3+ left arrowO2– and Ce4+ left arrowO2– charge transfer transitions. The two vibrational bands in 6960 cm–1 and 5168 cm–1 in the NIR region indicate the presence of surface hydroxyl groups on these materials.