We present a combined real and reciprocal space structural and microstructural characterization of CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) exhibiting different crystallite sizes; similar to 3 nm CeO2 NPs were produced by an inverse micellae wet synthetic path and then annealed at different temperatures. X-ray total scattering data were analyzed by combining real-space-based Pair Distribution Function analysis and the reciprocal-space-based Debye Scattering Equation method with atomistic models. Subtle atomic-scale relaxations occur at the nanocrystal surface. The structural analysis was corroborated by ab initio DFT and force field calculations; micro-Raman and electron spin resonance added important insights to the NPs' defective structure. The combination of the above techniques suggests a core-shell like structure of ultrasmall NPs. These exhibit an expanded outer shell having a defective fluorite structure, while the inner shell is similar to the bulk structure. The presence of partially reduced O-2(-delta) species testifies to the high surface activity of the NPs. On increasing the annealing temperature, the particle dimensions increase, limiting disorder as a consequence of the progressive surface-to-volume ratio reduction.

Structure and Surface Relaxation of CeO2 Nanoparticles Unveiled by Combining Real and Reciprocal Space Total Scattering Analysis

Scavini M.;Bertolotti F.;Guagliardi A.;
2022-01-01

Abstract

We present a combined real and reciprocal space structural and microstructural characterization of CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) exhibiting different crystallite sizes; similar to 3 nm CeO2 NPs were produced by an inverse micellae wet synthetic path and then annealed at different temperatures. X-ray total scattering data were analyzed by combining real-space-based Pair Distribution Function analysis and the reciprocal-space-based Debye Scattering Equation method with atomistic models. Subtle atomic-scale relaxations occur at the nanocrystal surface. The structural analysis was corroborated by ab initio DFT and force field calculations; micro-Raman and electron spin resonance added important insights to the NPs' defective structure. The combination of the above techniques suggests a core-shell like structure of ultrasmall NPs. These exhibit an expanded outer shell having a defective fluorite structure, while the inner shell is similar to the bulk structure. The presence of partially reduced O-2(-delta) species testifies to the high surface activity of the NPs. On increasing the annealing temperature, the particle dimensions increase, limiting disorder as a consequence of the progressive surface-to-volume ratio reduction.
2022
Debye Scattering Equation; ESR; Pair Distribution Function; Raman spectroscopy; atomistic simulations; ceria nanoparticles; total scattering
Scavini, M.; Bertolotti, F.; Mlloja, J.; Umbri, F.; Bosc, A.; Cappelli, S.; Checchia, S.; Oliva, C.; Fumagalli, P.; Ceresoli, D.; Longhi, M.; Guagliar...espandi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11383/2148551
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