Chitosan as template for the synthesis of ceria nanoparticles

Graphical abstract: Cerium oxide nanoparticles with cubic fluorite structure were prepared using chitosan as template, cerium nitrate as a starting material and sodium hydroxide as a precipitating agent. Calcinated powders at 350 {sup o}C contain agglomerated particles with average particle size of {approx}4 nm, very high porosity and foam-like morphology formed by open and close pores. Highlights: {yields} Pure CeO{sub 2} nanoparticles can take place using chitosan as template. {yields} A porous material was obtained. {yields} Blueshifts in the ultraviolet absorption spectra have been observed in cerium oxide nanocrystallites. -- Abstract: Cerium oxide (CeO{sub 2}), nanoparticles were prepared using chitosan as template, cerium nitrate as a starting material and sodium hydroxide as a precipitating agent. The resultant ceria-chitosan spheres were calcined at 350 {sup o}C. The synthesized powders were characterized by, XRD, HRTEM, UV-vis, FTIR, and TG-DTA. The average size of the nanoparticles obtained was {approx}4 nm and BET specific surface area {approx}105 m{sup 2} g{sup -1}. Blueshifts in the ultraviolet absorption spectra have been observed in cerium oxide nanocrystallites. The band-gap was found to be 4.5 eV. The blueshifts are well explained for diameters down to less than a few nanometers by the change in the electronic band structure.