Formation and properties of hydrophobic CeO2 nanoparticles

Uniform hydrophobic cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles in a cubic structure with an average size of 4.6 nm were obtained by a novel oil-water interface method in the presence of 0.40 M NaOH. Effects of reactants concentration, oxidation reaction temperature, and the type of surfactants on the final products were investigated. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, room-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. The products exhibited high luminescence and strong hydrophobicity. The data suggest that Ce(OH) _x ^4?x (x < 4) is a precursor complex for the formation of CeO₂ nanoparticles in liquid phase and its concentration controls the size of CeO₂ particles. The adsorption of the surfactant influences the formation of the hydrophobic particles of CeO₂ by the oil-water interface method.