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

Nickel-doped ceria nanoparticles (Ni 0.1 Ce 0.9 O 2- 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 Ni 3+ species which is considered as the hole trapped state of Ni 2+ . The Ni 0.1 Ce 0.9 O 2- x NPs exhibit enhanced reducibility in H 2 as compared to conventional ceria-supported Ni particles, while in O 2 the dopant nickel cations are oxidized at higher valence than the supported ones.