Structural characterization and photocatalytic behaviors of doped CeO2 nanoparticles

Ceria nanoparticles doped by different transition metals were prepared by the reverse coprecipitation method via the reaction of Ce(NO3)3 aqueous solution, where different metal cation was dissolved, to NH3·H2O aqueous solution. The doped ceria nanoparticles were sythesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy. It was found that the doped ceria nanoparticles with transition metals could apparently shift the ultraviolet and visible absorption band of CeO2 towards a visible range and significantly improve their optical activity.