ABSTRACT
Nanoflower petals, nanoplates, nanodiscs, and array of nanohexagonal Ce-Ox were synthesized via simple precipitation as well as hydrothermal methods. Executing the thermal decomposition strategy for the oxalate precursors, surface-modified ceria nanostructures such as branched hexagonal nanorod, multibranched, 2D nanoplate, and nanosheet were synthesized and characterized. Surface modification of Ce-Ox has a pivotal role on the thermal decomposition strategy, particle size and shape, and formation of oxygen ion vacancies. Kinetic characteristics revealed the significance of Ce-Ox surfaces upon the thermal decomposition strategy to the formation of ceria nanostructures. It was explored that for the formation of nanosheet-like ceria, activation energy values are lowered. But nanodiscs/flower of Ce-Ox has higher thermal prevention for the decomposition process to produce nanoplates of ceria. The thermal decomposition process does not retain the surface morphology of oxalate precursors. Upon thermal decomposition, ceria nanostructures with branched hexagonal nanorod, multibranched, 2-D nanoplates, and sheets were synthesized. Activation energy was found to be the lowest for producing 2-D nanosheets of ceria.
