Preparation and Characterization of Nanocrystalline CeO2-Tb2O3 Films Obtained by Electrochemical Deposition Method

Nanocrystalline CeO2-Tb2O3 composite oxides films with various morphologies were prepared by electrodeposition under different conditions. These samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The magnetic properties of the samples were also studied. By increasing the concentration of Tb(NO3)(3) or current density, the CeO2-Tb2O3 films with nanobelt structure changed into a blossom-shaped structure with lots of wrinkles and large surface area. XRD and Raman spectroscopy showed the crystal sizes of the samples to be 4-7 nm. XPS analysis indicated that higher current density was favorable to the deposition of CeO2 and inhibited the formation of Tb2O3. The morphology and magnetic property of the samples were determined by the composition. Only the sample mainly composed of Tb2O3 showed ferromagnetism.