Preparation and characterization of hollow CeO_2 structures using kapok fibers as biomass template

摘要

Hollow cerium dioxide structures (HCSs) were prepared by a simple manufacturing method using Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (kapok) fibers as a natural biomass template. The heat decomposition of the kapok template and the subsequent formation of a nanocrystalline phase of CeO_2 in HCSs were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction. The uniform morphology of the obtained HCSs with a diameter of 10-15 μm was investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Despite the micrometer size of the HCSs, the walls had a high specific surface area and mesopores that were well developed, as determined by N_2 gas adsorption-desorption analysis. Further, X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the formation of HCSs was largely influenced by the calcination temperature.