Liquid-Phase Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Xerogels, Nanopowders and Thin Films of the CeO2-Y2O3 System

Low-agglomerated xerogels, ultrafine oxide powders with particle sizes of 12-20 nm, and uniform thin films with particle sizes of 8-14 nm are prepared in the CeO2-Y2O3 system using liquid-phase low-temperature methods, namely via coprecipitation of hydroxides and cocrystallization of salts, sol-gel technology. A comparative characterization of the prepared xerogels and nanopowders is performed using a set of physicochemical analytical methods. A dependence of phase composition, microstructure, and particle size on synthetic parameters is elucidated.