A rapid solvothermal synthesis of cerium oxide hollow spheres and characterization

An easy and size controlled solvothermal synthesis of CeO2 hollow spheres is still a challenge in the area of materials synthesis. Here, CeO2 hollow spheres have been synthesized using PVA500# as a surfactant via solvothermal reaction followed by calcinations. The size of CeO2 hollow spheres could be controlled from 500 to 150 nm by changing the amounts of Ce(NO3)3·6H2O and PVA500#. The possible growth mechanism of CeO2 hollow sphere was explained. The CO oxidation catalytic activity of the CeO2 hollow spheres were superior to that of the commercial CeO2 powder due to the high specific surface area and small crystallite size.