Preparation of nanometer-scale CeO2 particles via a complex thermo-decomposition method

Nanometer-scale CeO2 particles (3–20 nm) have been synthesized by the thermo-decomposition of a new Ce3+ complex taking o-nitro-benzoic acid as ligand. Structure and properties of the Ce3+ complexes have been confirmed by XRD, FT-IR and TG. The CeO2 powders have been characterized by Raman, XRD, TEM, AFM, BET and UV. The CeO2 powders are specific surface area of 74.86 m2 g−1 and have UV-shielding ability. The particle size, surface area, yield, and state of agglomeration of CeO2 powders can be controlled via variation of the experimental conditions.