Synthesis of CeVO4 Crystals with Different Sizes and Shapes

Tetragonal CeVO4 was prepared through hydrothermal treatment and sonication method with the same precursor in the absence of any catalysts or templates, and the products were characterized by XRD, TEM and Raman. It is found that microrods, nanoparticles, nanorods and nanoplates have been obtained. The bigger nanorods produced through hydrothermal treatment have average diameters of 15-25 nm and lengths of 20-60 nm. The smaller nanorods prepared through ultrasound treatment have average diameters of 6-12 nm and lengths of 10-18 nm. Uniform nanoplates have been produced. The nanoplates produced through hydrothermal method are composed of CeVO4 and CeO2. The mechanism of shape changing has been discussed. And the existing vanadium which is sensitive to the pH value of synthesis solution may be a key factor for the resulted sizes and shapes of the obtained nanocrystals. The samples prepared through hydrothermal treatment and sonication method were used as the catalysts for the combustion of trichloroethylene to test their catalytic activity.