Flame-made Ceria Nanoparticles

• Published in: Journal of materials research Vol. 17; no. 6; pp. 1356 - 1362
• Main Authors: Mädler, L., Stark, W. J., Pratsinis, S. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.06.2002
• ISSN: 0884-2914; 2044-5326
• DOI: 10.1557/JMR.2002.0202

Flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) has been used to synthesize high-surface-area ceria from cerium acetate in acetic acid solution. With the addition of an iso-octane/2-butanol mixture to that solution, homogeneous CeO2 nanoparticles were obtained. The specific surface area of the powders ranged from 240 to 101 m2/g by controlling the oxygen dispersion and liquid precursor flow rates through the flame. Furthermore, for production rates from 2 to 10 g/h a constant average primary particle size could be obtained at selected process parameters. The ceria showed high crystallinity and primary particles with a stepped surface. The powder exhibited good thermal stability and conserved up to 40% of its initial specific surface area when calcinated for 2 h at 900 °C. This shows the potential of FSP made ceria for high-temperature applications as in three-way catalysts or fuel cells.