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Synthesis of CeO2 nanocrystals with controlled size and shape and their influence on electrochemical performance

  • Original Paper: Nano-structured materials (particles, fibers, colloids, composites, etc.)
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Abstract

In this work, nanosphere-like and nanowire shaped CeO2 nanocrystals were prepared at room temperature utilizing the epoxide precipitation reaction in aqueous and ethanolic solutions. It was found that the shape of CeO2 nanocrystals depends on the reaction kinetics of epoxide in solution. The isotropic growth of nanocrystals in aqueous solution resulted in the formation of CeO2 nanocrystals with sphere-like shape, while the anisotropic growth of nanocrystals in ethanolic solution led to the nanowire shape of CeO2 nanocrystals. The anisotropic growth of nanocrystals was attributed to the high surface energy of their {110} facet induced from the active reaction of epoxide in ethanolic solution. The reaction kinetics of epoxide affected not only the size and crystallinity of CeO2 nanocrystals, but also their shape. As a result, the produced CeO2 nanocrystals had different electrochemical performance. As an electrode material for application in supercapacitor, the nanosphere-like CeO2 nanocrystals presented better electrochemical performance and longer cycle life than the packed CeO2 nanowires.

Graphical Abstract

Nanosphere-like and nanowire shaped CeO2 nanocrystals were prepared utilizing the epoxide precipitation reaction in aqueous and ethanolic solutions. It was found that the shape of CeO2 nanocrystals depends on the reaction kinetics of epoxide in solution. The isotropic growth of nanocrystals in aqueous solution produced CeO2 nanocrystals with sphere-like shape, while the anisotropic growth of nanocrystals in ethanolic solution produced nanowire shaped CeO2. As an electrode material for application in supercapacitor, the nanosphere-like CeO2 nanocrystals presented better electrochemical performance and longer cycle life than the packed CeO2 nanowires.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China

    Li Wang, Yanhong Li, Min Shi, Wenle Ma & Hongtao Cui

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  1. Li Wang
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  2. Yanhong Li
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  3. Min Shi
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  4. Wenle Ma
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  5. Hongtao Cui
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Correspondence to Hongtao Cui.

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Wang, L., Li, Y., Shi, M. et al. Synthesis of CeO2 nanocrystals with controlled size and shape and their influence on electrochemical performance. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 83, 308–314 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-017-4407-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-017-4407-y

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