Mn-CeO2 submicrorods have been obtained from anomalous CeO2 particles though a novel composite-hydroxide-salt-mediated (CHSM) approach. This method is based on a reaction between a metallic salt and a metallic oxide in a solution of composite-hydroxide-salt eutectic at ~225 ºC and normal atmosphere without using an organic dispersant or capping agent. The magnetic measurement of the Mn-CeO2 submicrorods exhibits an enhanced ferromagnetic property at room temperature with a remanence magnetization (Mr) of 1.4 × 10-3 emu.g-1 and coercivity (Hc) of 75 Oe. The UV-visible spectra reveal that the absorption peak of the CeO2 shifts from ultraviolet region to visible light region after being doped with Mn ions. The room temperature ferromagnetic properties and light absorption of the Mn-CeO2 submicrorods would have wide applications in spintroics and photocatalysis field.

Spinel NiFe2O4 nanocrystals have been obtained by means of a novel composite-hydroxide-salt-mediated approach, which is based on a reaction between metallic salt and metallic oxide in the solution of composite-hydroxide-salt eutectic at ~225 ºC and normal atmosphere without any organic dispersant or capping agent. The obtained products are characterized by an X-ray diffraction (XRD), a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and an alternating gradient magnetometer (AGM). The formation process of NiFe2O4 nanosheet is proposed to begin with a ‘‘dissolution-recrystallization’’ which is followed by an ‘‘Ostwald ripening’’ mechanism. The NiFe2O4 nano-octahedrons can be obtained through adjusting the reaction water content in the hydroxide melts at constant temperature. At 300 K, magnetic hysteresis loops at an applied field of 15 kOe show zero coercivity, indicating the superparamagnetic behavior of the as-prepared NiFe2O4 nanocrystals.