The synthesis of a new inorganic cerium(III) sulfate hydrate material was effected by the slow evaporation method and provided a crystalline structure containing crystal voids. The compound with formula [Ce₂(H₂O)₄(SO₄)₃]·H₂O crystallizes according to the triclinic symmetry, space group P \(\stackrel{-}{1}\) . The crystal structure is actually with a three dimensional network, in particular, lattice water molecules are located in the crystal voids of the inorganic framework and they are attached inside via hydrogen bonds only. The BVS analysis clearly supports the predominance of the Ce³⁺ oxidation state in the studied compound. The thermal study with thermogravimetry showed that the dehydration stage of precursor begins with the release of the non-coordinated water molecules inside the crystal voids. Under the decomposition stage, successive phases relatively stable are formed upon the removal of a part of the sulfate groups. The photoluminescence measurements performed indicate a broad blue emission centered at approximately 430 nm under UV excitation in agreement with a typical 5d → 4f transitions of Ce³⁺ cations.
