Nanocrystalline ceria from carbon free materials

Nanocrystalline ceria powders were synthesized using carbon free starting materials, viz. Ce(NO3)3·6H2O, hydrazine and ammonium nitrate. Thermal decomposition of the precursors was studied by TG-DTA. The powders obtained in both the cases have crystallite size of about 13 nm, as calculated by X-ray line broadening, and a high surface area of >75 m2/g. The deagglomeration behaviour was also investigated, by dynamic light scattering experiments, for the two powders to ascertain the nature of agglomerates. The sintered density of the powders after sintering in air at 1250 °C for 2 h was found to be about 94% and 90%, respectively, of the theoretical density, for hydrazine and ammonium nitrate derived products.