Morphology and Pore Structure of Rare Earth Oxides

Abstract

The morphology observed by transmission electron microscopy of rare earth oxides, prepared by two different routes, has been related to adsorption characteristics for nitrogen at 77 K. The most common morphology was that of thin sheets, then small equiaxed particles, and, more rarely, rod-like particles. The presence of small equiaxed particles was found to be a prerequisite for adsorption hysteresis. Evaluation of linear 't' plots indicated freedom from micropores in all samples, but positive deviations in the presence of sheet morphology at high relative pressures left open the possibility of wedge-like pores in these samples.