Template-free synthesis of uniform single-crystal hollow cerium dioxide nanocubes and their catalytic activity.

Monodisperse single-crystal hollow cerium dioxide nanocubes with exposed (001) facets have been synthesized with the assistance of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in a water and ethanol system. A series of experiments indicate that ammonium ion plays an important role in the formation of the hollow structure and PVP plays a key role in the formation of a cubic shape. The hollow cerium dioxide nanocubes exhibit excellent CO catalytic oxidation activity.