Novel synthesis of CeO_2 nanoparticles within formamide/tri(ethyleneglycol)monododecyl ether-octane nonaqueous microemulsion systems

摘要

The present study evaluates a new method to prepare Cerium oxide (CeO_2) nanoparticles by formamide/tri(ethyleneglycol)monododecyl ether (C_(12)E_3)-octane oil-continuous nonaqueous microemulsion. The effect of the polar phase (formamide/water) on the phase behavior, drop size, and conductivity behavior of the reverse microemulsion were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the phase and morphology of synthesized CeO_2 nanoparticles. It was found that the CeO_2 powders synthesized within nonaqueous microemulsions and aqueous microemulisons had an average particle size of 30-50nm and 15-40 nm, respectively. The experimental results indicate the formation mechanism of CeO_2 nanoparticles in formamide nonaqueous microemulsion and aqueous microemulsion is similar, and the formamide nonaqueous microemulsion can be used as nanoreactors for preparation of nanoparticles.