ROOM TEMPERATURE SYNTHESIS OF CERIA BY THE ASSISTED OF CATIONIC SURFACTANT AND AGING TIME

Abstract

This paper presents the synthesis of rare earth cerium(IV) oxide (ceria) via simple precipitation method under room temperature. The two aims of this research are to: (i) synthesise a ceria-based material using simple process and chemicals and (ii) modify the ceria-based material with environmentally friendly elements. In this study, cerium nitrate hexahydrate and sodium hydroxide were utilised as the precursor and precipitant, respectively, to attain desired crystallite size and shape, at a fixed reaction pH of 12. Besides that, common cationic surfactant, cetyl-tri-methyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB), was used to enhance ceria-based material’s coveted properties. Furthermore, addition of surfactant and aging time (30 minutes, and 5, 10, 20, and 30 days) were also examined. Findings showed that as aging time increased, crystallite size decreased and production of large agglomerations were not observed. Then, optimum aging time was applied for synthesis of ceria material and modified ceria material, FeCeO2/TiO2, via impregnation method. These materials were subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD), CO2-TemperatureProgrammed Desorption (CO2-TPD), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) to investigate the mutual effect of surfactant addition and aging time.