Characterization of Pr-CeO2 nanocrystallites prepared by low-temperature combustion & hydrothermal synthesis

Pr-CeO2 Nano-crystalline red pigments were prepared by low-temperature combustion kwith a later hydrothermal treatment using Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H2O and Pr6O11 as raw materials. The phase composition, coloring mechanism and morphology of pigments were analyzed by XRD, SEM, EDS and XPS. Results showed that Pr-CeO2 solid solution with a fluorite structure was obtained by the diffusion of Pr+3 into CeO2, crystal lattice during the synthesis process. XPS analysis indicated that Pr+3 substitutes Ce+4 in CeO2 and is compensated by oxygen vacancies. Compared with low-temperature combustion synthesis, the Pr-CeO2, pigments prepared with a subsequent hydrothermal treatment have an average grain size of about 16.70 nm, and the crystallinity and red tonality are improved.