Single-crystalline ceria nanocubes: size-controlled synthesis, characterization and redox property

Single-crystalline CeO2 nanocubes were synthesized through a hydrothermal treatment. By varying reaction temperature and the NaOH concentration, the size control of CeO2 nanocubes has been achieved, which produces the nanocubes with a controllable edge length in the regime of 20–360 nm. HRTEM studies reveal that the CeO2 nanocubes expose their high energy {001} planes. Consequently, it is demonstrated that the CeO2 nanocubes exhibit excellent reducibility and high oxygen storage capacity, indicating they are potential novel catalytic materials.