Cationic Surfactant CTAB'S Influence on Surface Mesopores and Polishing Property of PS@ m CeO 2 Abrasive

ABSTRACT The cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), Ce (NO 3 ) 3 ·6H 2 O, and ammonium nitrate/ethanol mixed solution were used as the mesoporous guiding template, the cerium source, and the selective solvent. PS@ m CeO 2 abrasives were synthesized using polystyrene (PS) as the core and mesoporous ceria ( m CeO 2 ) as the shell. The properties of PS@ m CeO 2 abrasives were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), small‐angle X‐ray diffraction (XRD), HRTEM, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption. The results showed that m CeO 2 was completely coated on the PS, with the PS core size of 240 nm and the m CeO 2 shell thickness of 15–20 nm. The content of O vacancies and Ce 3+ increased in the m CeO 2 shell. Irregular mesopores were formed in the shell. Young's modulus ( E ) and polishing property of CeO 2 abrasive, PS@CeO 2 composites, and PS@ m CeO 2 composites were measured by atomic force microscopy. The E of core@shell‐structured composites significantly decreased. The PS@ m CeO 2 composites reduced mechanical damage and scratches and improved the material removal rate to 172 nm/min.