Abstract

Nanosized Ce1-xGdxO2-x/2 (x=0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) with different stoichiometric compositions was synthesized by the self-sustaining combustion method and calcined at 700 degrees C for 2 h. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm measurements showed that both the as-synthesized and calcined nanopowders were of a mesoporous structure with an average pore diameter of about 4 nm. Structural characterizations of such nanopowders were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution electron transmission microscopy (HRTEM), which showed that the powders were gadolinium doped ceria solid solutions with crystallite sizes of less than 30 nm. Furthermore, an analysis of HRTEM images revealed the existence of structural distortion and dislocations in the nanoparticles containing the mesopores. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.