Representative (a) AFM, (b) TEM, (c,d) HRTEM, (e) SAED,
the insert
showing the EDX analysis, (f) powder XRD pattern, (g) FT-IR, and (h)
TGA image of synthesized nanoceria. (a) AFM image of nanoceria showing
the particle size of 15 nm. (b) Low-resolution TEM image showing rod-shaped
nanoceria. (c) HRTEM image showing rod-shaped nanoceria. (d) Cubic
phase nanoceria with a d spacing of 0.31 nm. (e)
SAED pattern confirms the presence of cubic shape and its inset showing
the purity of synthesized nanoceria. (f) Cubic phase of nanoceria
was identified by a strong peak of the (111) plane, which corresponds
to the interplanar spacing of 0.31 nm. The sharpness of the diffraction
peaks suggests that the product is well crystallized. (g) FT-IR spectrum
of nanoceria showing four intense absorption bands at 3341, 1634,
1327, and 582 cm–1. (h) Complete weight loss at
around 400 °C indicates the pure phase of CeO2.