TITLE:
Microstructural Study of a Cerium-Based Metal-Organic Framework Compound by Analysis of X-Ray Diffraction Peak Broadening
AUTHORS:
Ferland Ngoro-Elenga, Hubert Makomo, Fernand Atipo Itoua Ngopoh, Coeursa Aurore Leko, Arnaud Ottard Ossiby Mwa Ngo, Timothée Nsongo
KEYWORDS:
Ce-MOF, X-Ray Diffraction, Microstructure, Crystallite Size, Microstrain
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Nanoparticles,
Vol.15 No.2,
May
31,
2026
ABSTRACT: The microstructural characterization of cerium-based metal-organic frameworks (Ce-MOF) is essential for understanding the relationship between crystal structure and functional properties. In this study, the synthesized Ce-MOF was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). X-ray diffraction peak broadening was analyzed to separate the contributions of coherent diffraction domain size and lattice microstrain. A comparative analysis was performed using the Scherrer (53.91 nm), Monshi-Scherrer (49.79 nm), Williamson-Hall (47.00 nm; ε = 2.585 × 10−4), Size-Strain Plot (42.27 nm; ε = 6.614 × 10−4), Halder-Wagner (42.27 nm; ε = 1.073 × 10−3), and modified Warren-Averbach (46.97 nm; ε = 8.587 × 10−4) methods. The strain-inclusive models converged toward a consistent description of the microstructure, indicating coherent diffraction domains ranging from 42 to 54 nm and lattice microstrains on the 10−4 - 10−3. The relatively small variation in the estimated coherent domain sizes suggests that the diffraction peak broadening is predominantly governed by the finite size of the coherent domains, whereas the contribution of the lattice microstrain remains comparatively limited. SEM observations revealed irregularly shaped particles with heterogeneous size distribution. FTIR spectra exhibited the characteristic vibration bands associated with Ce-O coordination, confirming the successful formation of the Ce-MOF framework. The elemental composition determined by XRF and SEM-EDS further confirmed the successful formation of the constituent elements within the synthesized material.