Surface Chemistry of Nanometric Ceria Particles in Aqueous Dispersions

The oxide/water interface of nanometric ceria particles has been studied through titration of the surface sites. The adsorption and desorption of protons, hydroxyls, and anions have been measured through potentiometry and chemical analysis. It has been found that these processes cause reactions between surfaces. Conversely, the loss of reactive surfaces which results from chemical treatments changes the charge behavior of the dispersions and reduces it to that of the pure fired oxide.