Synthesis and microstructure studies of nano-sized cerium phosphates

Abstract
Cerium phosphate, CePO4, nanoparticles with hexagonal or monoclinic phase was synthesized by the reaction between Ce(SO4)2.4H2O and two different phosphate sources, H3PO4 and Na2HPO4. The obtained gel was dried and calcined at different temperatures (200, 400, and 800 оC). The effects of the precursor materials and the calcination temperatures on the produced phases were studied. Both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) were used to follow the changes in the phase structure for the produced samples. The thermal behaviour of the as prepared samples was studied by using differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphology, crystallinity and particle size of the produced samples as prepared and calcinated were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The analysis of TEM results indicated that CePO4 was prepared in nano-sized particles.