CERIUM OXIDE, Cerium (IV) Oxide, Ceria, Cerium polish, 1306-38-3

CERIUM OXIDE, Cerium (IV) Oxide, Ceria, Cerium Polish, Ceroxide, 1306-38-3

Molecular Formula (Cerium Oxide (Cerium Dioxide)): CeO2
Molecular Weight: 172.115 g/mol
Chemical Name: Cerium Dioxide
CAS Number: 1306-38-3

It is a metal oxide compound made by Cerium, a rare earth metal, and Oxygen. Cerium, which is in the lanthanide class, can have both +3 and +4 valence compared to other lanthanide elements. This variability provides high level catalytic activation.

It is also called Ceria. It is an important compound in the glass industry. It is in the class of rare earth materials that can be synthesized by thermal hydrolysis and hydrothermal method.

Other Names:
Ceric Oxide
Dioxo Cerium
Ceric Dioxide
Cerium (IV) Oxide
1306-38-3
CeO2
Cerium (+4) Oxide
Cerium Oxide Nanopowder
Chemical and Physical Properties:
Cerium Dioxide is a white or slightly yellow powder.

Its melting point is 2400 ° C.

It may give a red color if there are elements other than other lanthanide groups in the compound.

Its density is 7.65 g/cm³.

It is insoluble in water as a solubility. It does not dissolve easily in inorganic acid. A reducing agent can be added to increase the solubility. This reducing agent can be Hydroxylamine Sulfate.

Cerium Oxide Usage Areas:

• It is used in the production of materials produced to remove carbon monoxide from the exhaust of automobiles.
• It is an important component in the production of materials that are required to be resistant to oxygen.
• It acts as an oxidation catalyst due to the fact that Ce (+III) and Ce (+IV) can be converted to each other in the oxidation of natural gas in gas mantles.
• It is used as a mixed conductor due to its ionic and electronic conduction.
• It is used as an optical brightener in the production of sensitive optics in the glass sector. In this application, it is used as a sensitive optical brightener by binding trace elements such as Lead and Antimony.
• It is used for polishing and removing colors of glasses.
• In the alloy sector, it is used in the production of heat-resistant alloys, in the production of heat-resistant alloys and coating of infrared filters.
• It is used in the production of oxygen pumps.
• It is a compound used to remove free oxygen and sulfur in steel manufacturing.
• It is used as a solid electrolyte in fuel cells.
• It is used as a brightening agent to prevent yellowing and corrosion in the production of Titanium and Titanium alloy materials.

Cerium Oxide in English, including other names it is known by:

• Cerium Oxide (CeO₂) is also called:

  • Ceric Oxide

  • Dioxo Cerium

  • Ceric Dioxide

  • Cerium (IV) Oxide

  • CeO₂ (Chemical formula)

  • Cerium (+4) Oxide

  • Cerium Oxide Nanopowder

  • Ceria (a common shorter name)

🧪 CERIUM OXIDE (CeO₂) 

1️⃣ Physical and Chemical Properties

• Chemical Name: Cerium(IV) Oxide

• Chemical Formula: CeO₂

• CAS Number: 1306-38-3

• EC Number: 215-150-4

• Appearance: Pale yellow-white powder

• Melting Point: Approx. 2400 °C

• Density: 7.22 g/cm³

• Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in acids

• Stability: Stable in oxidative environments

• pH (aqueous suspension): Slightly basic (~8.0–8.5)

• Toxicity: Low, but dust inhalation precautions required

2️⃣ Detailed Applications

• Glass polishing: LCD screens, optical lenses, microscope objectives

• Automotive catalysts: NOx reduction, exhaust gas control

• Fuel cells: Electrode additive, oxygen storage

• UV filters: Sunscreen formulations, cosmetic additives

• Ceramic pigments: Colorant and thermal stabilizer

• Metal surface cleaning: Micro-abrasion, precision polishing

• Defense industry: Laser optics, high-precision polishing systems

• Electronics: Sensors, semiconductors, oxygen buffering

3️⃣ Synonyms, CAS, EC, and Codes

4️⃣ Alternatives / Substitutes

• Zirconium Oxide (ZrO₂): Alternative in ceramics and catalysts

• Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃): For polishing and micro-abrasion

• Cerium Carbonate (Ce₂(CO₃)₃): Cost-effective substitute for glass polishing

• Neodymium Oxide (Nd₂O₃): Alternative in electronics and optics

5️⃣ Sectoral Compatibility Table

6️⃣ Common Names

• Glass polishing powder

• Yellow rare earth oxide

• Ceria

• Cerium polish

• LCD screen polish

7️⃣ Production

• Ore Source: Monazite and bastnäsite rare earth ores

• Process: Acid leaching → Solution purification → Oxidation → Crystallization

• Main Producer Countries: China, USA, Australia, India

• Commercial Purity Grades: 99.9% to 99.999%

• Forms Available: Nano-grade, micronized, technical grade, high-purity grade

8️⃣ Mandatory Sectors and Processes

• Automotive: Required in Euro 6/7 compliant exhaust catalysts

• Glass manufacturing: Industry standard for LCD and optical polishing

• Fuel cell production: Preferred as electrode additive

• Defense industry: Critical for laser and optical system polishing

• Electronics: Essential for oxygen buffering and sensor fabrication