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Understanding CeO 2 ‐Based Nanostructures through Advanced Electron Microscopy in 2D and 3D
Author(s) -
Zhang Yang,
Bals Sara,
Tendeloo Gustaaf
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
particle and particle systems characterization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-4117
pISSN - 0934-0866
DOI - 10.1002/ppsc.201800287
Subject(s) - nanostructure , nanotechnology , scanning transmission electron microscopy , transmission electron microscopy , materials science , characterization (materials science) , nanometre , nanoscopic scale , composite material
Abstract Engineering morphology and size of CeO 2 ‐based nanostructures on a (sub)nanometer scale will greatly influence their performance; this is because of their high oxygen storage capacity and unique redox properties, which allow faster switching of the oxidation state between Ce 4+ and Ce 3+ . Although tremendous research has been carried out on the shape‐controlled synthesis of CeO 2 , the characterization of these nanostructures at the atomic scale remains a major challenge and the origin of debate. The rapid developments of aberration‐corrected transmission electron microscopy (AC‐TEM) have pushed the resolution below 1 Å, both in TEM and in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) mode. At present, not only morphology and structure, but also composition and electronic structure can be analyzed at an atomic scale, even in 3D. This review summarizes recent significant achievements using TEM/STEM and associated spectroscopic techniques to study CeO 2 ‐based nanostructures and related catalytic phenomena. Recent results have shed light on the understanding of the different mechanisms. The potential and limitations, including future needs of various techniques, are discussed with recommendations to facilitate further developments of new and highly efficient CeO 2 ‐based nanostructures.