Highly reducible CeO2 nanotubes

The synthesis of CeO2 nanotubes with large cavities and thin walls by a simple oxidation-coordination-assisted dissolution process of the Ce(OH)3 nanotubes/nanorods was investigated. The redox property of the ceria nanotubes for application in catalysis was investigated and excellent reproducibility of these materials was demonstrated. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that all the peaks of the products can be readily indexed to a pure cubic phase, while a high-resolution TEM image revealed that the nanotube was of good crystallinity. The results provide a new strategy to synthesize inorganic nanotubes and show that the ceria nanotubes with large cavities and thin walls exhibit excellent reducibility.