The effect of 8 MeV electron beam irradiation on the structural and optical properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles
was investigated. Ceria nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical precipitation method, and characterized
by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible, photoluminescence and Raman
spectroscopy. Ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra, photoluminescence and Raman spectra of beam irradiated
samples were modified, and shifted to blue region, which were attributed to quantum size effect. Systematic observations
found that nonstoichiometry, defects and size reduction caused by beam irradiation have great influence
on optical band gap, blue shift, photoluminescence and Raman band modifications. Moreover, electron
beam irradiation is a suitable technique to enhance the structural and optical properties of nanoceria by controlling
the particle size, which may lead to potentially useful technological applications.