t In the present work, the pure CeO2 and yttrium doped CeO2 nanopowders were synthesized
by the nitrate-fuel self-sustaining combustion method and calcined at 700 C for 2 h. X-ray
diffraction (XRD) and high resolution electron transmission microscopy (HRTEM) results demonstrated
a cubic fluorite with high purity and the crystallite sizes less than 20 nm calculated from
Scherrer’s formula. The BET specific surface area of yttrium doped CeO2 samples showed high
values than those of pure CeO2. The photocatalytic activity of yttrium doped CeO2 showed high
degradation of Rhodamine B solution under visible light illumination.