Synthesis and characterization of BaCeO3 nanocrystals via solvothermal-based method

A facile approach to preparing well-dispersed nanocrystals of BaCeO3 was developed by a combination of solvothermal and annealing processes. The precursor consisted of amorphous BaCO3 and CeO2, and the conversion of the precursor to crystalline BaCeO3 nanocrystals occurred upon heat treatment at a relatively low temperature. The as-processed BaCeO3 had an orthorhombic structure and the average size of such crystals was approximately 80 nm. The obtained products were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Laser Raman Spectroscopy (LRS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). This preparation process could also be used to synthesize doped barium cerate complex oxides BaCe0.95M0.05O3.δ (M=Y, Nd, Gd, and Sm).