Rapid synthesis of nanocrystalline CeVO4 by microwave irradiation

Size-controlled CeVO4 nanoparticles have been synthesized by a simple microwave irradiation processing. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The results showed that the size of as-synthesized CeVO4 powders was in the range of 6–18 nm and was extremely dependent on the solution pH value. The optical absorption measurements displayed the obvious quantum-size effect of the products.