Tailoring shape of CeO2 nanoparticles by swift heavy ion irradiation


Rymzhanov R.A. Mutali A. OConnell J.H. Skuratov V.A.
January 2026Elsevier Ltd

Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids
2026#208

The structural response of CeO2 nanoparticles to swift heavy ion irradiation was studied using transmission electron microscopy complemented with numerical methods combining the Monte Carlo code TREKIS and molecular dynamics. The result of electronic excitations of model cubic nanoparticles differs from that of bulk and infinite film targets due to competing effects: reduced energy deposition due to electron emission, and increased lattice energy gain in nanoclusters <20 nm in size because of the confinement of slow electrons by grain boundaries. Ion impacts into nanoparticles smaller than 15 nm induce partial or complete melting, significantly changing their shape. It was demonstrated experimentally and numerically that lattice damage on the edges of nanoparticles manifests as erosion and emission of atoms and atom clusters. Ion passage through nanoclusters results in the formation of empty or partially empty nanochannels in contrast to irradiation of infinite thin films of the same thickness, inducing formation of nanohillocks on the surface.

Cerium oxide , Electronic excitation , Modification , Nanoparticle , Swift heavy ion

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Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie St. 6, Moscow Region, Dubna, 141980, Russian Federation
The Institute of Nuclear Physics, Ibragimov St. 1, Almaty, 050032, Kazakhstan
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Satpayev St. 2, Astana, 010008, Kazakhstan
Nelson Mandela University, University Way, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth, 6001, South Africa
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Kashirskoe Shosse, 31, Moscow, 115409, Russian Federation
Dubna State University, Universitetskaya St. 19, Dubna, 141980, Russian Federation

Joint Institute for Nuclear Research
The Institute of Nuclear Physics
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Nelson Mandela University
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI
Dubna State University

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026