Synthesis of CeO assemblies through interaction with short-chain dicarboxylic acids under facile hydrothermal conditions.

CeO assemblies with various morphologies were synthesized a facile hydrothermal method using short-chain dicarboxylic acids as the only added agent. It is demonstrated that the morphology of CeO assemblies depends on the chain-length of the dicarboxylic acids. The reaction with propanedioic acid (PA) results in durian-like ceria assemblies. Comparatively, ethanedioic acid (EA) tends to precipitate with Ce at the beginning, and then guides the formation of lamellar octahedral assemblies. The catalytic performance towards CO oxidation of the as-synthesized CeO with different morphologies was investigated. Compared with lamellar octahedral assemblies, durian-like CeO assemblies showed better catalytic performance, giving complete CO conversion at 350 °C, due to its properties of unique oxygen vacancies, loosely packed pore structure and larger specific surface area.