Interaction of Ce{sub 1−x}Er{sub x}O{sub 2−y} nanoparticles with SiO{sub 2}-effect of temperature and atmosphere

Journal Article · Wed Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 2014 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2013.10.025· OSTI ID:22280728

Krajczyk, L.; Mista, W.

Morphology, microstructure and phase evolution of homogeneous, nanocrystalline Ce{sub 1−x}Er{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} mixed oxide (x=0.3 and 0.5), prepared by microemulsion method, supported on amorphous SiO{sub 2} was studied in oxidizing and reducing atmosphere by XRD, TEM, SEM-EDS and N{sub 2} adsorption. The system is structurally and chemically stable in the oxidizing atmosphere up to 1000 °C, exhibiting only a small increase of the mean crystallite size of the oxide to ∼4 nm. At 1100 °C formation of Er silicate with unusual structure isomorphic with y-Y{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} (yttrialite), stabilized by Ce{sup 4+} ions was observed. In the reducing atmosphere the Ce{sub 1−x}Er{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} reacted with SiO{sub 2} already at 900 °C, due to high affinity of the reduced Ce{sup 3+} to form a silicate phase. At higher temperature the silicate crystallized into the tetragonal, low temperature A-(Ce{sub 1−x}Er{sub x}){sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} polymorph. Such systems, containing nanocrystalline silicate particles with Er{sup 3+} ions placed in well defined sites embedded in silica matrix, may be interesting as highly efficient active components of optical waveguides amplifiers integrated with Si microelectronics. The nanocrystalline Ce–Er–O/SiO{sub 2} system prepared by the impregnation of the silica with the aqueous solution of nitrates appeared to be chemically inhomogeneous and less stable in both oxidising and reducing atmosphere. - Graphical abstract: Structure evolution of Ce{sub 0.5}Er{sub 0.5}O{sub 1.75} in air and in H{sub 2}. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Homogeneous 3 nm Ce{sub 1−x}Er{sub x}O{sub 2−y} particles were prepared and uniformly dispersed on SiO{sub 2}. • Er diffusion to SiO{sub 2} determines the stability of the mixed oxide in air to ∼1000 °C. • Spreading of Ce{sub 1−x}Er{sub x}O{sub 2−y} onto SiO{sub 2} occurs in hydrogen at 900 °C. • Nanocrystalline A-(Ce,Er){sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} silicate forms in H{sub 2} at 1100 °C.

• OSTI ID: 22280728
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Solid State Chemistry Vol. 209; ISSN 0022-4596; ISSN JSSCBI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ADSORPTION
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CERIUM IONS
CERIUM OXIDES
CRYSTALS
DIFFUSION
ERBIUM IONS
HYDROGEN
INTERACTIONS
MICROEMULSIONS
MICROSTRUCTURE
NANOSTRUCTURES
PARTICLES
RARE EARTHS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SILICA
SILICATE MINERALS
SILICON OXIDES
STABILITY
THORIUM MINERALS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
YTTRIUM SILICATES