Atomic-scale structure of nanocrystalline CeO2–ZrO2 oxides by total x-ray diffraction and pair distribution function analysis

Total x-ray diffraction and atomic pair distribution function analysis have been used to determine the atomic ordering in nanocrystalline (∼1.5 nm in size) CeO2–ZrO2 prepared by a sol–gel route. Experimental data show that the oxides are a structurally and chemically inhomogeneous mixture of nanoscale domains with cubic-type and monoclinic-type atomic ordering, predominantly occupied by Ce and Zr atomic species, respectively. The study is another demonstration of the great potential of non-traditional crystallography in studying the structure of nanocrystalline materials. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)