Synthesis of Porous CeO2 Nanostructures Using Cotton Fibers as Biomaterial Template

Abstract

Porous CeO2nanostructures were synthesized by a simple template method using cotton fibers as biomaterial template. The phase structure and morphology of the product were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The UV-blocking property was evaluated by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Experimental results showed that the as-synthesized CeO2was in a cubic fluorite structure and presented fiber-like structure. The fiber-like CeO2nanostructures completely recorded the original morphology of cotton fibers, which consisted of large amounts of coalescent CeO2nanoparticles with average particle size in the range of 6-10 nm. The UV test result showed that the UV transmittance of the product was closer to zero in the wavelength below 350 nm, indicating that the product exhibited excellent UV-blocking property.