Structural and vibrational properties of image nanocrystals Original Research Article

In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of CeO2CeO2 nanocrystals dispersed into a porous Vycor glass. We analyzed the nanocrystal structural properties using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The size of the nanocrystals is controlled via the mass increment only and the matrix plays an important role in controlling the nanocrystal size because it prevents the coalescence process. Coalescence control is attributed to nanocrystal dispersion into the host and to the terminal bonds present in the pores that act as anchors, thus resulting in a low diffusion of the nanocrystals through the porous network. We have determined a Raman frequency dependence on the nanocrystal size which is quite useful for a quick check of the size of CeO2CeO2 nanocrystals.