Synthesis and characterization of Ag-doped CeO2 powders

In this study, the experimental characterization of cerium oxide (CeO2) powders doped with Ag at various amounts of 1, 2, 3, and 4 at.% was done using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The formation of the single phase of CeO2, having the cubic crystal structure, for all samples was observed. The phase structure was not affected by the as-used Ag contents. The addition of Ag caused an increase in the lattice parameter and a decrease in the crystallinity. In addition to these, non-gradual changes in the crystallite size were observed. The thermal stability for each sample was seen for each sample until 1000 °C. The morphology composed of the microparticles was observed. The magnetization and magnetic susceptibility values were affected by the amount of Ag dopant.