Synthesis of La2Ce2O7 nanoparticles by co-precipitation method and its characterization.

Lanthanum cerium oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized by co-precipitation method. In this method, nanoparticles in hydroxide form are obtained and then these nanoparticles are calcined at high temperature. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were utilized to characterize the thermal decomposition, phase structure and morphology of the products. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the as prepared material shows almost 37% wt losses, which may be due to the presence of water and nitrate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of sample calcined at 600 °C shows the formation of standard cubic fluorite phase of lanthanum cerium oxide (La2Ce2O7). Electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirms the presence of both La and Ce. From Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) morphology, it is observed that particles are in the nano dimension having diameter in the range of 55 to 80 nm with cubic shape. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis shows the presence of residual nitrate, and absorption of water in the sample.