Ultrathin lanthanide oxides nanomaterials: synthesis, properties and applications

Over the past decade, ultrathin lanthanide oxides (Ln₂O₃, Ln = La to Lu) nanomaterials have been intensively studied in the fields of rare earth materials science. This unique class of nanomaterials has shown many unprecedented properties (big surface area, high surface effect, physical and chemical activities) and is thus being explored for numerous promising applications. In this review, a brief introduction of ultrathin Ln₂O₃ nanomaterials was given and their unique advantages were highlighted. Then, the typical synthetic methodologies were summarized and compared (thermal decomposition, solvothermal, soft template, co-precipition and microwave etc.). Due to the high surface effect, some promising applications of ultrathin Ln₂O₃ nanomaterials, such as drug delivery and catalysis of CO oxidation, were reviewed. Finally, on the basis of current achievements on ultrathin Ln₂O₃ nanomaterials, personal perspectives and challenges on future research directions were proposed.