Rare earth metal oxides: Formation, characterization and catalytic activity - Thermoanalytical and applied pyrolysis review

This review provides a guide to the recent literature on the characterization of the decomposition routes of different precursors, especially carboxylates of rare earth metals (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y and Th), and the formation of the final oxide products. it also discusses the effects of (1) the nature of precursors, i.e. acetate, oxalate, carbonates, etc., (2) the nature and stability of the intermediates formed during decomposition, (3) the calcination temperature and (4) the composition of the gas atmosphere, i.e. N-2, H-2, O-2, air and vacuum, on the chemical composition, structure, texture and catalytic activity of the generated oxides.