Atomic-scale structure of nanocrystalline CeO2-ZrO2 oxides by total x-ray diffraction and pair distribution function analysis

Total x- ray diffraction and atomic pair distribution function analysis have been used to determine the atomic ordering in nanocrystalline (similar to 1.5 nm in size) CeO2 - ZrO2 prepared by a sol - gel route. Experimental data show that the oxides are a structurally and chemically inhomogeneous mixture of nanoscale domains with cubic- type and monoclinic- type atomic ordering, predominantly occupied by Ce and Zr atomic species, respectively. The study is another demonstration of the great potential of non- traditional crystallography in studying the structure of nanocrystalline materials.