Synthesis of CeO2 by thermal decomposition of oxalate and kinetics of thermal decomposition of precursor

CeO₂ was synthesized by calcining Ce₂(C₂O₄)₃·8H₂O above 673 K in air. The precursor and its calcined products were characterized using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The result showed that cubic CeO₂ was obtained when the precursor was calcined above 673 K in air for 2 h. The UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy studies showed that superfine CeO₂ behaved as an excellent UV-shielding material. The thermal decomposition of the precursor in air experienced two steps, which are: first, the dehydration of eight crystal water molecules, then the decomposition of Ce₂(C₂O₄)₃ into cubic CeO₂. The values of the activation energies associated with the thermal decomposition of Ce₂(C₂O₄)₃·8H₂O were determined based on the Starink equation.