Multicomponent equiatomic rare earth oxides

Multicomponent rare earth oxide (REO) nanocrystalline powders containing up to seven equiatomic rare earth elements were successfully synthesized in a single-phase CaF2-type (Fm-3 m) structure. The addition of more than six elements resulted in the formation of a secondary phase. Annealing at 1000°C for 1 h led to the formation of a single-phase (Ia-3) even in the 7-component system. In the absence of cerium (Ce4+), secondary phases were observed irrespective of the number of cations or the extent of thermal treatment indicating that cerium cations played a crucial role in stabilizing the multicomponent REOs into a phase pure structure.