Tuning diffusion paths in shaped ceria nanocrystals

Mass diffusion controls material structuring from the atomic to the macro-scale defining properties and functionalities. We show here that surface energy in Ce0.9Gd0.1O3-d shaped nanocrystals, i.e. nanocubes, nanorods and spherical nanoparticles, can control solid state diffusion mechanisms over a long range, leading to extreme microstructural diversity.