@article{6ea816ed44bf4aae928b291a25aa64d4,
title = "Effect of acetate ions and pH on the morphology of cerium oxide nanoparticles",
abstract = "Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) are recognized as functional materials with suitability in diverse applications. Conventional synthesis of CeNPs involves direct addition of alkaline solutions and/or precipitating agents to cerium solutions. Rapid changes in solution concentrations and ligand introduction result in less control over particle size and dispersity. Here, we report a simple hydrothermal synthesis of cubic shaped CeNPs through homogenous precipitation, achieved by introduction of acetate molecules. A distinct trend in CeNPs transitioning from octahedral to cubic morphologies was observed through a series of experiments. Results from experimental and computational studies have demonstrated that acetate plays an important role in directing the morphological transition of CeNPs and providing a pH-buffered environment. The formation of Ce(IV)-acetate complexes not only stabilizes aqueous Ce(IV) but also inhibits its hydrolysis in conditions of lower pH. The stabilization of Ce(IV) ions is also favorably weakened during the hydrothermal treatment, leading to successful homogeneous precipitation and the formation of mono-dispersed cubic-shaped CeNPs.",
keywords = "Acetate adsorption, Cerium oxide, Morphology control, PH",
author = "Yifei Fu and Neal, {Craig J.} and Elayaraja Kolanthai and Sidra Munir and Ta, {Khoa Minh} and Marco Molinari and Sudipta Seal",
note = "Funding Information: The authors would like to acknowledge the Materials Characterization Facility at the University of Central Florida for the use of the characterization facilities and the assistance offered by the research engineer. MM acknowledges the Vice Chancellor's Scholarship Scheme for funding KMT. Calculations were run on the Orion computing facility and the HPC Violeta at the University of Huddersfield, and the ARCHER2 UK National Supercomputing Services via our membership of the UK HEC Materials Chemistry Consortium (MCC; EPSRC EP/X035859/1, EP/R029431/1). Raw computational data are available from https://doi.org/10.17632/9xkwp3s4nz.1, All authors contributed to the writing and editing of the manuscript. All authors approve of the submitted version of the manuscript. HRTEM images of elongated truncated octahedral or fused CeNPs with uneven edge (Fig. S1); TEM images of CeNPs synthesized without acetate at different pH (Fig. S2); the configurations of adsorbed acetates for the monodentate, bidentate, and chelate bidentate adsorption configurations on the stoichiometric and oxygen deficient CeO2 {111}, {110}, {111} surfaces (Fig. S3); the bond distances between carboxyl oxygen atoms of acetic acid and surface cerium atoms for the monodentate, bidentate, and chelate bidentate adsorption configurations on the stoichiometric and oxygen deficient CeO2 {111}, {110}, {111} surfaces (Table S1). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023",
year = "2023",
month = dec,
day = "20",
doi = "10.1016/j.colsurfa.2023.132616",
language = "English",
volume = "679",
journal = "Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects",
issn = "0927-7757",
publisher = "Elsevier",
}