Cerium oxide decorated on nickel hydroxide anchored on reduced graphene oxide (Ce-Ni(OH)2/rGO) composite with hexagonal structures were synthesized by facile hydrothermal method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), highresolution transmission electron microscopy with selected area diffraction (HRTEM-SAED), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer– Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis and electrochemical technology were used to characterize the composite. Due to its unique two-dimensional structures and synergistic effect among Ce2O3, Ni(OH)2 and rGO components indicated twodimensional hexagonal nano Ce-Ni(OH)2/rGO composite is promising electrode material for improved electrochemical H2O2 sensing application. From 50 to 800 μM, the H2O2 concentration was linearly proportional to the oxidation current, with a lower detection of limit of 10.5 μM (S/N = 3). The sensor has a higher sensitivity of 0.625 μA μM−1 cm− 2. In addition, the sensor demonstrated high selectivity, repeatability and stability. These findings proved the viability of the synthetic method and the potential of the composites as a H2O2 sensing option.

To understand how reactivity between reinforcing nanoparticles and aqueous solution affects electrodeposited Cu thin films, two types of commercialized cerium oxide (ceria, CeO2) nanoparticles were used with copper sulfate electrolyte to form in-situ nanocomposite films. During this process, we observed variation in colors and pH of the electrolyte depending on the manufacturer. Ceria aqueous solution and nickel sulfate (NiSO4) aqueous solutions were also used for comparison. We checked several parameters which could be key factors contributing to the changes, such as the oxidation number of Cu, chemical impurities of ceria nanoparticles, and so on. Oxidation number was checked by salt formation by chemical reaction between CuSO4 solution and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. We observed that the color changed when H2SO4 was added to the CuSO4 solution. The same effect was obtained when H2SO4 was mixed with ceria solution; the color of ceria solution changed from white to yellow. However, the color of NiSO4 solution did not show any significant changes. We did observe slight changes in the pH of the solutions in this study. We did not obtain firm evidence to explain the changes observed in this study, but changes in the color of the electrolyte might be caused by interaction of Cu ion and the by-product of ceria. The mechanical properties of the films were examined by nanoindentation, and reaction between ceria and electrolyte presumably affect the mechanical properties of electrodeposited copper films. We also examined their crystal structures and optical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-Vis spectroscopy.

The potential application of ultrafine cerium oxide (ceria, ) as an oxygen gas sensor has been investigated. Ceria was synthesized by a thermochemical process: first, a precursor powder was prepared by spray drying cerium-nitrate solution. Heat treatment in air was then performed to evaporate the volatile components in the precursor, thereby forming nanostructured having a size of approximately 20 nm and specific surface area of 100 . After sintering with loosely compacted samples, hydrogen-reduction heat treatment was performed at 773K to increase the degree of non-stoichiometry, x, in . In this manner, the electrical conductivity and oxygen-response ability could be enhanced by increasing the number of oxygen vacancies. After the hydrogen reduction at 773K, was obtained with nearly the same initial crystalline size and surface. The response time measured at room temperature was extremely short at 4 s as compared to 14 s for normally sintered . We believe that this hydrogen-reduced ceria can perform capably as a high-performance oxygen sensor with good response abilities even at room temperature.