Preparation of Cerium Oxide via Microwave Heating: Research on Effect of Temperature Field on Particles

Abstract

Micro–nano cerium oxide particles with regular morphology and good dispersity have been widely used in polishing and other industrial fields. Microwave heating is an effective, controllable and green heating technology. The Venturi reactor used for microwave heating developed by our team was the core equipment utilized to study the effects of pyrolysis conditions on the purity and microstructure of cerium oxide particles. The experiments were carried out and the products were characterized using XRD, SEM and EDS. Microwave heating, fluid flow and chemical reaction were coupled using numerical simulation, the effects of microwave power, reactor location and waveguide arrangement on temperature fields were investigated. The results showed that with the microwave power increasing, the degree of crystallinity and purity of cerium oxide improved. The morphology gradually became sphere-like. Varied reactor locations and waveguide arrangements changed the gradient and dispersity of temperature fields. Bulk particles and agglomeration could be avoided, and cerium oxide particles with average size of 80 nm were produced when the reactor was located in the center of the cavity. Vertical arrangement of waveguides had the advantages of higher temperature value, gentle gradient and better dispersity.