| abstract |
Ceric oxide (ceria) particulates exhibiting a particularly small crystallite size, well suited for catalyst/catalyst carrier applications, include a specific surface-stabilizing amount of silicon values (preferably less than 1% by weight thereof, expressed as SiO2) and have a specific surface of at least 40 m2/g after calcination at 800 DEG C. for 6 hours and of at least 20 m2/g after calcination at 1,000 DEG C. for 6 hours; such CeO2 particulates are advantageously prepared by (a) suspending certain ceric hydroxides in a basic aqueous reaction medium containing a silicon compound, (b) autoclaving the resulting suspension, (c) cooling and depressurizing such medium of reaction, (d) separating a ceric hydroxide therefrom, and (e) calcining the ceric hydroxide thus separated. |