Evolution of hollow nanostructures in hybrid Ce1−xCuxO2under droplet confinement leading to synergetic effects on the physical properties

The paper discusses a successful strategy for tuning the hollow, porous or even solid morphologies of pure and Cu2+-doped CeO2 nanostructures. The reaction of nanodroplets at the interface in miniemulsions is significantly affected by the concentration of dopants. The growth mechanism is both reaction- as well as diffusion-controlled, which finally determines the particular morphology. With a varying degree of dopant concentration and quantum confinement, the concentration of Ce3+ available on the surface of the nano-droplets and -particles is found to change quite appreciably. This immediately leads to modulation in the physical properties, such as ferromagnetism or absorption. The significant red shift in the absorption spectra and associated broadband visible photoluminescence opens newer applications for the present material in visible optoelectronic devices.