Synthesis and characterization of nickel-doped ceria nanoparticles with improved surface reducibility

Nickel-doped ceria nanoparticles (Ni0.1Ce0.9O2−x NPs) were fabricated from Schiff-base complexes and characterized by various microscopic and spectroscopic methods. Clear evidence is provided for incorporation of nickel ions in the ceria lattice in the form of Ni3+ species which is considered as the hole trapped state of Ni2+. The Ni0.1Ce0.9O2−x NPs exhibit enhanced reducibility in H2 as compared to conventional ceria-supported Ni particles, while in O2 the dopant nickel cations are oxidized at higher valence than the supported ones.