Cerium oxide nanotubes prepared from cerium hydroxide nanotubes

Fluorite-structured CeO2 nanotubes have been synthesized by controlled annealing of layered Ce(OH)(3) nanotubes. The latter have been fabricated by means of hydrothermal treatment of anhydrate cerium chloride. The Ce(OH)(3) nanotube formation has been attributed to lamellar rolling under appropriate conditions. The non-layered CeO2 could possess nanotubular morphology only in the presence of structural defects (see Figure; tube diameter: similar to 18 nm).