Synthesis and Optical Properties of SiO2-Coated CeO2 Nanoparticles

Silica (SiO2)-coated ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles were prepared using water-in-oil microemulsion. Polyoxyethylene (15) cetylether and cyclohexane were used as a surfactant and organic solvent. SiO2-coated CeO2 nanoparticles were obtained by hydrolysis of metal alkoxide (tetraethylorthosilicate, TEOS) in the solution containing CeO2 precursor nanoparticles. The effects of CeO2 sources (Ce metal salt) and CeO2 particle-forming agents on the morphology of SiO2–CeO2 particles were investigated. Observation via transmission electron microscopy revealed that the type of particle-forming agent affected the nanoparticles' morphology and that CeO2 nanoparticles were spherically coated with SiO2 when using oxalic acid ((COOH)2) as a particle-forming agent of CeO2. Furthermore, the transmittance of the particles was high in the visible region (above 400 nm) and decreased in the ultraviolet region.