Synthesis and characterization of nanometric strontium-doped ceria solid solutions via glycine-nitrate procedure

Nanometric-sized strontium doped ceria powders were prepared by combustion glycine-nitrate procedure. Cerium nitrate and strontium nitrate were used as starting material whereas glycine is used as a fuel. The tailored composition was: Ce1-xSrxO2-delta with concentration "x" ranging from 0 to 0.15. The effect of dopant concentration and subsequent calcination on crystal stability and lattice parameter was studied. Results showed that the obtained powders were solid solutions with a fluorite-type crystal structure. The particle size was in the nanometric range (<15 nm). Calcination of as-prepared powders at 850 degrees C caused. the formation of secondary phase (SrCeO3) in samples containing with fraction of Sr2+ ions >= 9 mol %. The solubility limit of Sr2+ ions in ceria lattice was between 6 and 9 mol % at 850 degrees C. The solid solution of 6 mol % Sr2+ was stable even at temperature as high as 1550 degrees C. (C)2012 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.