# Electrochemical Formation of Cerium Oxide/Layered Silicate Nanocomposite Films

Authors: Adele Qi Wang; Teresa Diane Golden
Journal: Journal of Nanotechnology
 (2016)

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## Abstract

Cerium oxide/montmorillonite nanocomposite films were synthesized electrochemically from solutions containing 0.5 to 50% Na-montmorillonite. The nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Nanocomposite films synthesized from montmorillonite concentrations lower than 10% were continuous, uniform, and dense. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the nanocomposite films retain the face-centered cubic structure of cerium oxide while incorporating exfoliated platelets of the montmorillonite into the matrix. In addition, calculations from XRD data showed particle sizes ranging from 4.50 to 6.50 nm for the nanocomposite coatings. Raman and FTIR spectroscopy had peaks present for cerium oxide and the layered silicates in the coatings. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the presence of montmorillonite throughout the cerium oxide matrix.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Cerium oxide (CeO2) is an important ceramic material, with excellent corrosion-resistant properties for metals and alloys [1–7]. Cerium oxide films can also be used in solid oxide fuel cells and have optical applications [8–11]. Thermodynamic stability and reactivity for CeO2 portend promising use of this material in the catalytic industry [12–14]. Also, applications for cerium oxide films can be limited by CeO2 strength and toughness, since it is a ceramic and tends to be brittle. Improving the strength of the film leads to longer lifetime for the protective coatings, and reinforcing the films broadens the application of CeO2 as a corrosion protection film, catalyst, electrode, and buffer layer [15, 16]. Particle size is integral to the unique properties and applications of cerium oxide. In general, the smaller the particle size, the lower the packing porosity and the higher the surface area. Catalytic activity and electrical conductivity of crystalline cerium oxide depend on particle size, in that electronic conductivity predominates in the nanocrystalline phase, and ionic conductivity mainly controls the microcrystalline structure [17].One technique to improve the mechanical properties of ceramics is by dispersing nanometer-sized particles into the ceramic-matrix. The reinforcing agents can be spherical, whiskers, short fibers, and platelet structured materials [18–21]. Reinforcing mechanisms depend on the properties of the secondary phase within the composite. Examples for particle-reinforced ceramic materials include Al2O3 and MgO composites toughened with materials such as TiC, TiB2, SiC, (W, Ti)C, and Ti(C, N) [22, 23]. Mullite fiber has been coated with zirconia and then used in the toughening of mullite ceramic composites. SiC monofilament and multifilament Nicalon and HPZ fibers have been used to reinforce BaAl2Si2O8 (BAS) and SrAl2Si2O8 (SAS) ceramics [24, 25]. Si3N4 whiskers can also act as reinforcing phases and can be used in the strengthening of BAS, MgO/CeO2, and SiC [26–28]. Various platelets (e.g., SiC, Al2O3, and ZrB2) widely applied in the toughening and strengthening of ceramic materials have resulted in obvious improved mechanical properties. Investigation into mechanical properties of SiC platelet-embedded Al2O3 composites concluded that both Young’s modulus and fracture toughness of the composites with small platelets increased with greater SiC volume fraction [29]. Platelet-reinforced Ti-B-C composites also showed higher hardness, flexural strength, and fracture toughness [30].Platelets reinforce in two dimensions as opposed to other particle shapes; therefore, orientation of the platelet is important when the toughening mechanism is considered. Layered silicates, which are clay platelets, have interesting intercalation and exfoliation properties and can be combined with other media to form composites. The combination of layered silicates with ceramic materials by intercalation has been successful with SiO2, TiO2, ZrO2, and Al2O3 [31–34]. Montmorillonite (MMT) layered silicates, when exfoliated, have dimensions that range from 100 to 1000 nm in length with thickness of only 1-2 nm. This high aspect ratio property confirms the feasibility of dispersing this type of material within the structure matrix, with potentially significant improvements in mechanical properties. For example, addition of 20–35% of montmorillonite in an alumina composite improved the mechanical strength of alumina [35]. The majority of work has been intercalation of compounds into the layered silicate gallery. Very few articles have studied effects of exfoliated clay addition into another matrix using an electrochemical technique for nanocomposite film formation. Electrochemical synthesis is an ideal technique to suspend a second phase into the matrix and assure improvement of mechanical as well as corrosion-inhibiting properties. Our group has studied the electrochemical addition of nanoclay platelets within metals and alloys for corrosion protective coatings [36–39]. This research presents electrochemical deposition of a ceramic with nanoclay addition, cerium oxide/layered silicate films. The successful synthesis, crystalline structure, morphology, and mechanical properties of the deposited films are studied.


## 2. Experimental

### 2.1. Materials

Na-montmorillonite (MMT) was provided by Southern Clay Products (Gonzales, TX, USA) and was first delaminated by ultrasonication and stirring for 24 hours before being added to an electrolyte solution. Na-montmorillonite layered silicate was mixed with 0.1 M Ce(NO3)3·6H2O (Alfa-Aesar) and 0.1 M acetic acid (Fisher) to form the plating solution. Concentrations of the MMT were 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50% (w/w, MMT/Ce(NO3)3·6H2O). pH was adjusted with NaOH in the range of 7.5–8.0 and was monitored with a pH meter throughout the deposition experiments. The working electrode was prepared by mounting stainless steel in epoxy; it was then polished to a mirror finish and rinsed and ultrasonicated. Platinum wire or mesh was used as the counter electrode, and a saturated calomel electrode (SCE) was the reference.


### 2.2. Electrochemical Film Deposition

An EG&G Princeton Applied Research (PAR) Model 273A potentiostat/galvanostat was used to electrochemically deposit the films. Deposition was conducted in an undivided cell and regular three-electrode configuration. The electrochemical cell was kept at constant temperature with a Fisher Scientific Model 1016D circulator. Anodic electrodeposition with an applied potential of 1.1 V at 25°C was used to deposit the films over 24 hours.


### 2.3. Characterization

Dynamic light scattering capable of measuring 0.8 to 6500 nm-sized particles in solution was run on a Microtrac Nanotrac ULTRA using a 780 nm diode laser at 3 mW power. Nanoindentation was conducted on a NANO III nanoindentator (nanodiamond tip) with an attached Nikon optical microscope (800x magnification) to obtain optical micrographs. A JEOL JSM-T300 scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to obtain topological morphologies of composite film surfaces and cross sections. The attached TN 5500 X-ray analyzer provided elemental information of detected areas. Structure and phase composition of the electrochemical deposited films were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) with a Siemens D500 diffractometer using Cu Kα radiation (λ = 0.15405 nm). The tube source was operated at 40 kV and 30 mA to produce scans at a 0.02° step size and 1 sec dwell time. Raman spectra were obtained using a Yvon Dilor XY800 Raman microprobe equipped with a nitrogen-cooled multichannel (CCD) detector with an excited wavelength of 514 nm laser radiation at 10 mW of power to prevent local heating of the sample. All spectra were recorded between 200 and 4000 cm−1 with 3 cm−1 spectra resolution, 719 mm focal length, 600 lines/mm gratings, and 10x objective focused to 10 μm spot size. At least three spectra were collected randomly from different areas of the films and plotted. Infrared spectra were obtained using a Perkin-Elmer 1760X FTIR spectrophotometer. For each sample, 40 scans were collected in the range of 4000–400 cm−1 with a resolution of 4 cm−1.


## 2.1. Materials

Na-montmorillonite (MMT) was provided by Southern Clay Products (Gonzales, TX, USA) and was first delaminated by ultrasonication and stirring for 24 hours before being added to an electrolyte solution. Na-montmorillonite layered silicate was mixed with 0.1 M Ce(NO3)3·6H2O (Alfa-Aesar) and 0.1 M acetic acid (Fisher) to form the plating solution. Concentrations of the MMT were 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50% (w/w, MMT/Ce(NO3)3·6H2O). pH was adjusted with NaOH in the range of 7.5–8.0 and was monitored with a pH meter throughout the deposition experiments. The working electrode was prepared by mounting stainless steel in epoxy; it was then polished to a mirror finish and rinsed and ultrasonicated. Platinum wire or mesh was used as the counter electrode, and a saturated calomel electrode (SCE) was the reference.


## 2.2. Electrochemical Film Deposition

An EG&G Princeton Applied Research (PAR) Model 273A potentiostat/galvanostat was used to electrochemically deposit the films. Deposition was conducted in an undivided cell and regular three-electrode configuration. The electrochemical cell was kept at constant temperature with a Fisher Scientific Model 1016D circulator. Anodic electrodeposition with an applied potential of 1.1 V at 25°C was used to deposit the films over 24 hours.


## 2.3. Characterization

Dynamic light scattering capable of measuring 0.8 to 6500 nm-sized particles in solution was run on a Microtrac Nanotrac ULTRA using a 780 nm diode laser at 3 mW power. Nanoindentation was conducted on a NANO III nanoindentator (nanodiamond tip) with an attached Nikon optical microscope (800x magnification) to obtain optical micrographs. A JEOL JSM-T300 scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to obtain topological morphologies of composite film surfaces and cross sections. The attached TN 5500 X-ray analyzer provided elemental information of detected areas. Structure and phase composition of the electrochemical deposited films were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) with a Siemens D500 diffractometer using Cu Kα radiation (λ = 0.15405 nm). The tube source was operated at 40 kV and 30 mA to produce scans at a 0.02° step size and 1 sec dwell time. Raman spectra were obtained using a Yvon Dilor XY800 Raman microprobe equipped with a nitrogen-cooled multichannel (CCD) detector with an excited wavelength of 514 nm laser radiation at 10 mW of power to prevent local heating of the sample. All spectra were recorded between 200 and 4000 cm−1 with 3 cm−1 spectra resolution, 719 mm focal length, 600 lines/mm gratings, and 10x objective focused to 10 μm spot size. At least three spectra were collected randomly from different areas of the films and plotted. Infrared spectra were obtained using a Perkin-Elmer 1760X FTIR spectrophotometer. For each sample, 40 scans were collected in the range of 4000–400 cm−1 with a resolution of 4 cm−1.


## 3. Results and Discussions

Previous studies for pure cerium oxide film formation have reported detection of a small oxidation peak in the cyclic voltammetry (CV) scan that is attributed to the conversion of Ce(III) to Ce(IV) species [7]. However, at these conditions, CeO2 films as well as CeO2 powders can be produced. The addition of a ligand (i.e., acetic acid and lactic acid) to the solution results in complexation of cerium ions and favors the slow release of Ce3+ from the Ce-ligand complex during electrodeposition. These Ce3+ free ions are the primary reactant supply for the electrochemical reaction at the electrode. The slow release of Ce3+ ions makes film formation preferred over powder production during the process. The Ce(III)-ligand complex is significant for anodic deposition of the cerium oxide film [7, 40]. Since previous electrochemical conditions have been elucidated for cerium oxide deposition, these conditions were a starting point for composite film depositions. Solution chemistry influences nanocomposite deposition, and important electrochemical parameters include complexing ligand strength, pH of the deposition solution, and temperature of the deposition solution.Since the clay charge density is heterogeneous, suspension stability in the plating solution is critical. When the clay is dispersed in aqueous medium of near-neutral to alkaline pH, the particles carry a net negative charge, largely due to isomorphic substitution of cations of lower charge for cations of higher charge (Al+3 for Si+4 in the tetrahedral sheet and Fe+2 or Mg+2 for Al+3 in the octahedral sheet). Electrostatic surface charge influences distribution of nearby ions in a polar medium. Counter ions are attracted to the surface, while other ions are repelled. Three types of dispersions exist in clay suspensions: formation of an immiscible macroaggregate, swelling of the smectite clays to include a host matrix (intercalated), or separation of the layers (exfoliated). In this work, MMT is exfoliated so that individual platelets are sheared apart from each other and allowed to disperse in the electrolyte solution. Dynamic light scattering studies for the electrolyte solutions show dispersion of the clay in the electrolyte solution. For lower concentrations of montmorillonite (MMT) (<5%) in the solution, the measured particle sizes for the platelets range from ~450 to 750 nm. However, when the MMT concentration is increased (>10%) in the electrolyte, the measured particle sizes range from 3000 to 4000 nm, indicating that some agglomeration occurs.Montmorillonite layered silicates are clays approximately represented by the formula (Na, Ca)(Al, Mg)6(Si4O10)3(OH)6·nH2O (Figure 1). Al3+ or Si4+ locations can be replaced by lower valent cations, which cause the montmorillonite structure to have an excess of electrons. This negative charge can be satisfied by loosely held cations in the interlayer spacing. Sodium montmorillonite refers to the clay mineral in which loosely held cation is the Na+ ion. Individual montmorillonite platelets exist as coordinated layers that are one nanometer thick and several microns wide. The layers are periodically spaced apart, with a repeating distance in the nanometer range, called the gallery spacing. Prior to electrochemical deposition of the nanocomposites, Na-montmorillonite powder is characterized by X-ray diffraction. For reference, Figure 2 shows the resulting pattern from the Na-montmorillonite powder compared to a cerium oxide powder. The (00l) reflections (representing interlayer spacing) for air-dried clay samples are shifted in 2-theta and are less intense, which would be expected for this sample, compared to a well-ordered, highly processed sample. Other peaks include the (060) reflection and bands (02;11), (20;13), and (04;22). Since quartz can be an impurity in clay samples, smaller sharp peaks for quartz are present in the pattern. When the layered silicate is exfoliated, there is an absence of or considerable intensity decrease of the clay peaks, since the platelets are not stacked together and do not exhibit long-range order. The cerium oxide powder pattern displays a random orientation that matches the typical fluorite structure for CeO2, and these reflections are used for identification of the cerium oxide composite films.Figure 1
Schematic of the montmorillonite layered silicate platelet showing one platelet height and the gallery spacing between layers.Figure 2
X-ray diffraction patterns of (a) CeO2 powder and (b) Na-montmorillonite powder.For nanocomposite film deposition, montmorillonite concentrations from 0.5 to 50% were added to the electrodeposition solution. Figure3 shows the XRD patterns of the resulting CeO2/MMT nanocomposite films for the montmorillonite content range from 0.5 to 30% of cerium nitrate (w/w). Montmorillonite addition in the films does not change the fcc structure of CeO2 and thus indicates an intact matrix of CeO2 in the composites. XRD patterns exhibit only reflection for fcc CeO2 at lower concentrations of added MMT. As the concentration of montmorillonite increases higher than 5%, reflections for the MMT in the film emerge at 11.50–12.00° 2θ and confirm some associated stacking of silicate layers. This broad peak corresponds to disordered (00l) reflections for the montmorillonite. Similar results have been seen for layered silicates when large amounts are added to metal deposition solutions [36]. All calculated particle sizes corresponding to the XRD patterns are listed in Table 1. The nanocomposite films have particle sizes in the range of 5–10 nm as calculated from the FWHM of the CeO2 reflections using the Scherrer equation.Table 1
Particle sizes of CeO2/montmorillonite nanocomposite films calculated from XRD patterns using the Scherrer equation for the (111) reflection.
% Na-MMT 0.5 1 2 3 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 Particle size (nm) 6.51 5.11 5.50 6.00 5.33 5.40 4.53 5.06 4.54 5.99 6.00Figure 3
X-ray diffraction patterns of CeO2/MMT nanocomposite films deposited from 0.5, 2, 5, 10, and 30% MMT concentrations in the plating solution (∗ represents the cerium oxide reflections, and red x represents the 00l reflections for the layered silicate).Morphology of as-formed composites was observed using optical microscopy and SEM. Figure4 shows the picture of a CeO2/MMT nanocomposite film. The nanocomposite films have a smooth, homogenous, uniform surface, with the clay incorporated with cerium oxide up to MMT concentrations of 5%. At higher magnifications using SEM (Figure 5), the coatings are dense and show random, amorphous-like structures on the surface, with good adhesion to the substrate.Figure 4
Optical picture of a CeO2/5% MMT nanocomposite film deposited under potentiostatic conditions at E = 1.10 V, 25°C, and magnification, ×800.Figure 5
SEM of a CeO2/5% MMT nanocomposite film.Raman spectroscopy of the nanocomposite films (Figure6) shows the main peak (F2g) for cerium oxide at ~459 cm−1, a slight negative shift from 465 cm−1, the bulk CeO2 value [41]. The shift is due to the nanocrystallinity of the films, shown earlier to be about ~6 nm from XRD data (Table 1). The other small peaks around 600–700 and 1000–1100 cm−1 are ascribed to surface oxygen species. The clays have no activity in the Raman frequency region, but, typically with increasing amounts of MMT, the background luminescence increases. Raman spectra were reproducible, demonstrating the homogeneity of the deposited CeO2/MMT nanocomposite films.Figure 6
Raman spectra of a CeO2/MMT nanocomposite electrodeposited film using potentiostatic conditions at E = 1.10 V and 25°C.ATR-IR spectra of the nanocomposite films can be used to investigate clay minerals in forms like films, dispersions, gels, or pastes (Figure7) [42]. A band at 550 cm−1 is a characteristic peak in the phonon modes spectral range for cubic crystalline forms of rare earth oxides like cerium oxide. The peak around 1021 cm−1 is assigned as the first overtone mode of the fundamental vibration at 550 cm−1 and signifies CeO2 in the coating. There are broad absorption bands in the range of 1100 to 1000 cm−1. The peak at ~1080 cm−1 is due to Si-O stretching, which is due to the presence of silicates in the clay. Peaks at ~1025 cm−1 and 1045 cm−1 can be ascribed to overlapping of Si-O-Si stretching of montmorillonite. For higher content of clay, the Si-O band in clay predominates over the vibrations from cerium oxide. The Si-O band is basically centered at ~1045 cm−1 (50%, 30%, 20%, and 10%) MMT. As clay concentration in the nanocomposite becomes lower (e.g., 5%, 3%, 2%, 1%, and 0.5%), the band splits into two peaks, located at ~1046 and 1023 cm−1, respectively. Bands centered at ~935 cm−1 and 840 cm−1 are due mainly to cerium oxygen bonds. However, there are also vibrations possible at ~914 cm−1 and 847 cm−1 which represent inner hydroxyl bending in Al-Al-OH and in the Al-Mg-OH structure, respectively. The Al-Mg-OH vibration reflects partial magnesium substitution for aluminum in the octahedral sheets, and the bands in this region may overlap or be buried in the broad band [42, 43].Figure 7
ATR-IR spectra of a CeO2/MMT nanocomposite electrodeposited film using potentiostatic conditions at E = 1.10 V and 25°C.Incorporation of 1% by weight of montmorillonite into the CeO2 film leads to an increase in modulus of ~23%. Incorporating secondary phases with higher aspect ratios tends to result in higher fracture toughness. Nanoindentation experiments for nanocomposites with MMT concentrations higher than 1% were inconclusive. We believe the presence of excess clay on the surface of the coating led to interference (sticking) with the nanoprobe tip. Additional mechanical experiments are needed to help elucidate the mechanical properties of the films.Cross-sectional SEM and EDX were done to validate the incorporation of MMT within the ceramic oxide films. The cross section (Figure8) displays a layered structure for the film. Interestingly, the film deposits in a layer-by-layer fashion, which could be due to a tendency of the clay platelets to fall face-down onto the electrode, as shown in previous work for a modified electrochemical cell [36]. EDX on the cross section of the composite films reveals the presence of elemental Ce, Si, and Al, which shows the incorporation of montmorillonite throughout the cerium oxide coating.Figure 8
Cross-sectional SEM of a CeO2/MMT nanocomposite electrodeposited film using potentiostatic conditions at E = 1.10 V and 25°C (bar represents 10 μm).A schematic representing the deposition of the nanocomposite coating is shown in Figure9. Montmorillonite is not electroactive and thus has no redox couple for electrodeposition. Individual clay platelets are produced in solution by 24 hrs of vigorous stirring of the clay suspension. Once the negatively-charged layered silicate is introduced into the plating solution, the clay platelets are countered with positive cerium complex ions. The cerium complex ion in solution is thought to be a weak, predominantly bidentate binding of the cerium ion and suggests a [Ce(H2O)x(O2CCH3)]2+ species (where x = 6 or 7) [44]. Kulp et al. also calculated this species as the predominant form in the electrodeposition solution [40]. The cerium ion species is oxidized to form a coating, while the platelets are believed to concurrently, electrostatically adsorb onto the substrate during deposition. They may reorient on the film’s surface to give the most stable arrangement. The planar shape of MMT can produce a tight contact with the charged electrode surface. Cross-sectional SEM and EDX confirm this type of deposition for the CeO2/MMT nanocomposite coatings.Figure 9
Representation of depositing exfoliated layered silicate (white) with cerium ions in solution (light green) and cerium oxide (reduced form in coating is dark green) on a substrate (brown).


## 4. Conclusions

Successful electrochemical deposition of CeO2/layered silicate nanocomposites is accomplished onto metal substrates. The best experimental parameters for synthesis of the nanocomposite films include room temperature deposition, 7.5 pH, and 5% or less of Na-montmorillonite addition. XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy indicate that CeO2 is the primary structural matrix of the composite films with particle sizes ranging from 4.50 to 6.50 nm. There is a 23% increase in modulus for the nanocomposite films. Cross-sectional SEM and EDX confirm that montmorillonite platelets are inserted throughout the matrix of the composites.



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