Synthesis and enhanced electrochemical properties of Sm:CeO2 nanostructure by hydrothermal route

"Pure" ceria and samarium doped ceria nanostructures have been synthesized by the hydrothermal route with mild reaction condition. The structure and morphology of as-prepared samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning microscopy (FE-SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. AFM analysis shows that the prepared samples are well defined nanorods/particles of 120-150 nm diameter and 1-1.5 mu m lengths. UV-vis spectroscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometer techniques have been used to study the optical properties. The observed red shift in the UV-vis absorption spectra confirmed the promoted electron-phonon interaction in CeO2 and Sm:CeO2 nanorods compared to bulk structures. The electrical properties were studied by using cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) results demonstrated that the Sm:CeO2 nanoparticles exhibited a higher electro-oxidation than CeO2 nanorods. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.