Surface structures of cerium oxide nanocrystalline particles from the size dependence of the lattice parameters

Cerium oxide nanocrystalline particles are synthesized and monodispersed in the size range from 2 to 8 nm in diameter. The dependence of the lattice parameters on particle size is obtained by x-ray and electron diffraction analyses. The size dependence well coincides with the estimation based on the assumption that the surface is composed of one layer of Ce2O3 and the inside consists of CeO2. The effect of particle size on lattice parameters is discussed from the differences in the fabrication method and the surface structure. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.