Thermally induced reconstruction of ceria nanocubes into zigzag {111}-nanofacetted structures and its influence on catalytic activity in CO oxidation

Thermally induced reconstruction of ceria nanocubes into {111}-nanofacetted structures was investigated by XRD, TEM and Raman spectroscopy. The beneficial role of reducing atmosphere on the surface reconstruction processes was observed and is discussed. The activity of ceria nanoparticles with various surface morphology in catalytic oxidation of CO was investigated. The order of catalytic activity of the particles: smooth ceria nano cubes > {111}-nanofacetted ceria nanocubes > smooth octahedra correlates with the concentration of Ce3+ oxygen vacancy pairs determined by Raman spectroscopy.