What is "cerium oxide"

Cerium(IV) oxide, also known as ceric oxide, ceria, cerium oxide or cerium dioxide, is an oxide of the rare earth metal cerium. It is a pale yellow-white powder with the chemical formula CeO. It is an important commercial product and an intermediate in the purification of the element from the ores. The distinctive property of this materials is its reversible conversion to a nonstoichiometric oxide.

Cerium oxide may refer to either of the following:

• Cerium(III) oxide, CeO
• Cerium(IV) oxide, CeO

Cerium(III) oxide is an oxide of the rare earth metal cerium. It has chemical formula CeO, and is gold-yellow in color.