Cerium oxide (CeO) is an oxide of the rare earth element Cerium. It is primarily utilized by the glass industry and is manufactured for various applications. In optical and other glass production, it is employed as a polish and can be used as a substitute for tin oxide in certain cases. In the production of cathode ray tubes (CRTs), cerium oxide serves a dual purpose as it is utilized as both an ingredient in the faceplate glass and as a polish in the finishing of the ware. Cerium oxide can also be used to decolorize glass by modifying the valance state of the iron contained in the glass. Furthermore, it finds applications as a catalyst substrate and is a component of the converter's oxidizing catalyst system used in automotive catalysts.
This material is highly monodisperse in size and shape (<0.25 polydispersity index) and provides significantly improved surface reactivity. It is stable at high suspension densities when utilized at the recommended pH range. Applications include emissions catalysis, fuel cell electrolytes, polishing of optical surfaces, planarization of semiconductors, as a substrate for precious metals used in oxidation catalysis, catalysis for the splitting of water for hydrogen production, and as a radical oxygen scavenger in biological systems.
