One-pot hydrothermal synthesis and high temperature thermal stability of CexZr1-xO2 nanocrystals

We report a facile one-pot synthesis of CexZr1-xO2 (0 <= x <= 1) solid solution nanocrystals using hydrothermal reactions. A direct formation of oxide solid solutions in aqueous solution under pressure at low temperatures was clearly revealed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and chemical composition analysis of individual nanocrystals using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in scanning transmission electron microscopy mode. Chemisorption behavior of the synthesized nanocrystals was characterized using a hydrogen temperature programmed reduction, which showed a superior low-temperature activity in CexZr1-xO2 (0 < x < 1) compared to pure CeO2. Furthermore, we investigated the thermal stability of the prepared Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 at high temperatures (900 degrees C-1400 degrees C) under oxidation and reduction atmosphere. The effect of varying conditions of heat-treatment has given information on the phase transformation in Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 from pseudocubic to tetragonal structure under oxidation atmosphere, and to pyrochlore structure under reduction atmosphere.