Synthesis of ceria–zirconia mixed oxide from cerium and zirconium glycolates via sol–gel process and its reduction property

Ceria–zirconia mixed oxide was successfully synthesized via the sol–gel process at ambient temperature, followed by calcination at 500, 700 and 900 °C. The synthesis parameters, such as alkoxide concentration, aging time and heating temperature, were studied to obtain the most uniform and remarkably high‐surface‐area cubic‐phase mixed oxides. The thermal stability of both oxides was enhanced by mutual substitution. Surface areas of the Ce_xZr_1?xO₂ powders were improved by increasing ceria content, and their thermal stability was increased by the incorporation of ZrO₂. The most stable cubic‐phase solid solutions were obtained in the Ce range above 50 mol%. The highest surface area was obtained from the mixed catalyst containing a ceria content of 90 mol% (200 m²/g). Temperature programmed reduction results show that increasing the amount of Zr in the mixed oxides results in a decrease in the reduction temperature, and that the splitting of the support reduction process into two peaks depends on CeO₂ content. The CO oxidation activity of samples was found to be related to its composition. The activity of catalysts for this reaction decreased with a decrease in Zr amount in cubic phase catalysts. Ce₆Zr₄O₂ exhibited the highest activity for CO oxidation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Toluene abatement on Ag-CeO2/SBA-15 catalysts: synergistic effect of silver and ceria

As a typical volatile organic compound, toluene is a hazardous material for human health and the environment, and currently, the development of catalysts for its oxidation into CO₂ and water is crucial. The series of Ag-CeO₂/SBA-15 catalysts is synthesized by wetness impregnation techniques and characterized by a number of physical-chemical methods (nitrogen [N₂] physisorption, small angle X-ray scattering [SAXS], transmission electron microscopy [TEM], and temperature-programmed reduction [TPR]). The toluene sorption and catalytic properties in toluene oxidation are studied. Small silver [Ag] and cerium oxide [ceria, CeO_2] particles with sizes below 3 nm are predominantly formed in the ordered structure of Santa Barbara Amorphous-15 [SBA-15]. The interactions between the Ag and CeO₂ nanoparticles are established. Temperature-programmed desorption of toluene [TPD-C₇H₈] analysis shows that physical adsorption of toluene occurs on pristine SBA-15 material, while the introduction of either silver or ceria to SBA-15 leads to the appearance of additional strongly bound chemisorbed toluene on such sites. When both Ag and CeO₂ are introduced, only chemisorbed toluene is formed over the Ag-CeO₂/SBA-15 catalyst, and the highest catalytic activity in toluene oxidation is observed over this catalyst (T_98% = 233 °C, 0.2% C₆H₅CH₃) that is attributed to the synergistic effect of ceria [CeO_2] and silver [Ag].     

Selective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes over Pt supported on cerium–zirconium mixed oxide of different composition

Cerium–zirconium mixed oxides with different Ce/Zr ratio were prepared and used as supports for Pt-containing catalysts. The study of the catalysts in the cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation reaction has shown that cinnamaldehyde conversion and cinnamyl alcohol selectivity strongly depend on the CeO₂ content in the support. The highest cinnamyl alcohol yield of 81% was obtained in 105 min at room temperature and atmospheric pressure over the 1%Pt/CeO₂–ZrO₂ catalyst with Ce : Zr atomic ratio equal to 4 : 1.     

Efficient chemoselective alcohol oxidation using oxygen as oxidant. Superior performance of gold over palladium catalysts

Gold nanoparticles supported on nanocrystalline ceria (Au/CeO₂) is a general, air- and moisture-stable, commercial catalyst for the atmospheric pressure, solventless oxidation of aromatic, primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding benzaldehyde or ketone compound. Aliphatic primary alcohols are oxidized to the corresponding alkyl ester and aliphatic secondary alcohols are oxidized to ketones. Conversions and product yields are in most of the cases excellent. The oxidizing reagent and the experimental conditions are almost ideal from the environmental point of view. Comparison with analogous ceria supported and hydroxyapatite-supported palladium catalysts, Au/CeO₂ clearly shows the superior performance of Au/CeO₂ in terms of higher chemoselectivity. In contrast to palladium catalysts that promote CC double isomerization, Au/CeO₂ oxidizes selectively allylic alcohols to conjugated ketones.     

Development of Ceria-Supported Ruthenium Catalysts Effective for Various Synthetic Reactions

Our recent results on organic transformations such as C–C bond formation via the activation of stable C–C or C–H bonds and aerobic oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by CeO₂-supported ruthenium are reviewed. A simple, recyclable heterogeneous Ru/CeO₂ catalyst showed excellent activity for sequential transfer-allylation/isomerization of homoallyl alcohols with aldehydes to saturated ketones via the C–C bond activation. While homogeneous ruthenium and rhodium complex catalysts require additives and/or pressurized CO, the reaction with Ru/CeO₂ smoothly proceeded in the absence of any additives. The Ru/CeO₂ catalyst also showed excellent activity for the addition of sp² C–H bonds of aromatic ketones to vinylsilanes. The Ru/CeO₂ catalyst realized the chelation-assisted arylation of stable aromatic C–H bonds with aryl chlorides. The activity of the catalyst was greatly improved by the PPh₃-modification under hydrogen atmosphere prior to the reactions. The catalyst acts heterogeneously without a significant leaching of ruthenium species, indicating that the Ru/CeO₂ catalyst has an advantage over homogeneous catalysts from practical and environmental points of view. The effects of chemical and physical properties of CeO₂ on the activity of CeO₂-supported noble metal catalysts were examined. Porous CeO₂ powders were prepared by the coagulation of solvothermally synthesized colloidal ceria nanoparticles, and the thus-prepared CeO₂ powders showed an oxygen migration ability far superior to the CeO₂ samples prepared by the usual precipitation method. The ruthenium catalysts supported on the former CeO₂ powders showed a high activity for the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. The effects of the pore structure of CeO₂ powders on the activity of the Ru/CeO₂ catalysts are also discussed.     

基于催化应用调控氧化铈纳米材料的形貌

催化剂的设计、合成和结构调控是获得优异性能的关键.传统的策略主要是尽量减小催化剂颗粒尺寸以增加活性中心的数目,即尺寸效应.近年来,材料科学的快速发展使得在纳米尺度上调变催化剂的尺寸和形貌成为可能,特别是通过形貌调控可暴露更多的高活性晶面,大幅度提高催化性能,即纳米催化中的形貌效应.因此,调节催化剂的尺寸与形貌可以单独或协同优化材料的性能.氧化铈作为催化剂的重要组分与结构、电子促进剂被广泛应用于多相催化剂体系.本文总结了近期氧化铈材料形貌可控合成的进展,包括主要的合成策略和表征方法; 进而分析了氧化铈和金-氧化铈催化材料的形貌效应,指出金-氧化铈之间独特的相互作用与载体形貌密切相关; 阐述了氧化铈纳米材料因暴露晶面的差异而获得不同催化性能的化学机制.     

Selective catalytic reduction of NO with CO on Pt/W–Ce–Zr catalysts

Various Pt catalysts (Pt/ZrO₂, Pt/CeO₂, Pt/CeZrO, Pt/WO₃/ZrO₂ and Pt/WO₃/CeZrO) were prepared and characterized, and their catalytic reduction reactions of NO by CO, with or without the presence of excess oxygen, were investigated. The results of temperature-programmed experiments showed that CO could be easily oxidized over Pt/CeO₂ and Pt/CeZrO while the introduction of WO₃ into the catalyst (Pt/WO₃/CeZrO) inhibited the reduction of catalyst surface; NO could not dissociate over those catalysts in oxidized state but after CO reduction at a low temperature, NO dissociation took place only over Pt/CeO₂ and Pt/CeZrO catalysts. For NO + CO reaction, those easily reduced catalysts Pt/CeO₂ and Pt/CeZrO exhibited better catalytic performances, and NO could be rapidly converted below 350 °C. For the reaction with the presence of excess O₂, the NO conversions were significantly inhibited, but better NO conversions were obtained over the tungstate-contained catalysts when compared with Pt/CeO₂ and Pt/CeZrO. The higher activities of Pt/W–Ce–Zr catalysts were attributed to their high acidities.     

Effect of ceria loading on the carbon formation during low temperature methane steam reforming over a Ni/CeO2/ZrO2 catalyst

The characterization and catalytic activity of a Ni/CeO₂/ZrO₂ catalyst for methane steam reforming at 600°C were investigated. The addition of ceria increased the surface area and basicity of the catalysts. The redox reaction capability of the ceria increased the hydrogen yield and carbon monoxide selectivity, and inhibited carbon formation.     

Structural Characterization of Alumina‐Supported Rh Catalysts: Effects of Ceriation and Zirconiation by using Metal–Organic Precursors

The effects of the addition of ceria and zirconia on the structural properties of supported rhodium catalysts (1.6 and 4 wt % Rh/γ‐Al₂O₃) are studied. Ceria and zirconia are deposited by using two preparation methods. Method I involves the deposition of ceria on γ‐Al₂O₃ from Ce(acac)₃, and the rhodium metal is subsequently added, whereas method II is based on a controlled surface reaction technique, that is, the decomposition of metal–organic M(acac)_x (in which M=Ce, x=3 and M=Zr, x=4) on Rh/γ‐Al₂O₃. The structures of the prepared catalyst materials are characterized ex situ by using N₂ physisorption, transmission electron microscopy, high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission election microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS). All supported rhodium systems readily oxidize in air at room temperature. By using ceriated and zirconiated precursors, a larger rhodium‐based metallic core fraction is obtained in comparison to the undoped rhodium catalysts, suggesting that ceria and zirconia protect the rhodium particles against extensive oxidation. XPS results indicate that after the calcination and reduction treatments, a small amount of chlorine is retained on the support of all rhodium catalysts. EXAFS analysis shows significant Rh? Cl interactions for Rh/Al₂O₃ and Rh/CeO_x/Al₂O₃ (method I) catalysts. After reaction with H₂/He in situ, for series of samples with 1.6 wt % Rh, the EXAFS first shell analysis affords a mean size of approximately 30 atoms. A broader spread is evident with a 4 wt % rhodium loading (ca. 30–110 atoms), with the incorporation of zirconium providing the largest particle sizes.     

少量CeO2的添加对Pd/La-Al2O3密偶催化剂三效性能的影响

以La改性的Al₂O₃为载体,采用共吸附浸渍法制备了一系列不同CeO₂含量的单Pd密偶催化剂,并对其进行了表征. PdO_x和CeO₂之间的强相互作用改善了Pd⁰再氧化为PdO的能力,同时增强了反应条件下硝酸盐,亚硝酸盐和异氰酸盐在载体上的吸附. 因此适量CeO₂的添加明显改善了新鲜催化剂对HC和NO_x的催化性能,且当CeO₂添加量为2%时催化效果最佳. Pd-Ce界面上PdO_x和CeO₂间强相互作用也使得PdO_x物种在高温时仍能以小颗粒的形式分散在载体上,从而显著地提高催化剂的热稳定性. 经1100 ℃高温老化后,CeO₂ （2%-4%）的存在明显拓宽了HC和NO_x的操作窗口,这对于提高单Pd密偶催化剂在汽车尾气处理上的催化性能有重要意义.     

In Situ Investigation of Methane Dry Reforming on Metal/Ceria(111) Surfaces: Metal–Support Interactions and C−H Bond Activation at Low Temperature

Studies with a series of metal/ceria(111) (metal=Co, Ni, Cu; ceria=CeO₂) surfaces indicate that metal–oxide interactions can play a very important role for the activation of methane and its reforming with CO₂ at relatively low temperatures (600–700 K). Among the systems examined, Co/CeO₂(111) exhibits the best performance and Cu/CeO₂(111) has negligible activity. Experiments using ambient pressure X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate that methane dissociates on Co/CeO₂(111) at temperatures as low as 300 K—generating CH_x and CO_x species on the catalyst surface. The results of density functional calculations show a reduction in the methane activation barrier from 1.07 eV on Co(0001) to 0.87 eV on Co²⁺/CeO₂(111), and to only 0.05 eV on Co⁰/CeO_2−x (111). At 700 K, under methane dry reforming conditions, CO₂ dissociates on the oxide surface and a catalytic cycle is established without coke deposition. A significant part of the CH_x formed on the Co⁰/CeO_2−x (111) catalyst recombines to yield ethane or ethylene.     

Effects of CeO_2 preparation methods on the catalytic performance of MoO_3/CeO_2 toward sulfur-resistant methanation

CeO_2 supports were prepared by calcination or precipitation method and 5% MoO_3/CeO_2 catalysts were prepared by incipient-wetness impregnation method. The catalytic performance of the 5% MoO_3/CeO_2 catalysts toward sulfur-resistant methanation was investigated. The results showed that the Mo/Ce-1 catalysts with CeO_2 support prepared by calcination method exhibited the best sulfur-resistant methanation activity and stability with CO conversion as high as 75% while the Mo/Ce-3 catalysts the poorest. The supports and catalysts were characterized by N_2-adsorption–desorption, temperature-programmed reduction(TPR), X-ray diffraction(XRD), Raman spectroscopy(RS) and scanning electron microscope(SEM). The results indicated that the saturated monolayer loading MoO_3 on Ce-3 support was lower than 5% and there were some crystalline MoO_3 particles on the surface of the Mo/Ce-3. The preparation method of CeO_2 had a big influence on the specific surface area, the crystalline of CeO_2, and the catalytic performance of the corresponding Mo-based catalyst for sulfur-resistant methanation.     

In Situ and Theoretical Studies for the Dissociation of Water on an Active Ni/CeO2 Catalyst: Importance of Strong Metal–Support Interactions for the Cleavage of O–H Bonds

Water dissociation is crucial in many catalytic reactions on oxide‐supported transition‐metal catalysts. Supported by experimental and density‐functional theory results, the effect of the support on O? H bond cleavage activity is elucidated for nickel/ceria systems. Ambient‐pressure O 1s photoemission spectra at low Ni loadings on CeO₂(111) reveal a substantially larger amount of OH groups as compared to the bare support. Computed activation energy barriers for water dissociation show an enhanced reactivity of Ni adatoms on CeO₂(111) compared with pyramidal Ni₄ particles with one Ni atom not in contact with the support, and extended Ni(111) surfaces. At the origin of this support effect is the ability of ceria to stabilize oxidized Ni²⁺ species by accommodating electrons in localized f‐states. The fast dissociation of water on Ni/CeO₂ has a dramatic effect on the activity and stability of this system as a catalyst for the water‐gas shift and ethanol steam reforming reactions.     

CO oxidation over Au/CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalists: The effect of the support composition of the au-support interaction

The effect of the support composition on the Au-support interactions and its role in the creation of the activity of Au/CeO₂-ZrO₂ catalysts in CO oxidation has been studied. The CeO₂-ZrO₂ oxides and Au/CeO₂-ZrO₂ catalysts were synthesized, characterized by BET, XRD, HRTEM, AAS, TPR-H₂, and tested in CO oxidation. An approximate evaluation of the H₂ consumption for the surface reduction of the studied samples was estimated applying the model developed by Johnson and Mooi, which is based on the qualitative relationship between the amount of the capping oxygen and BET surface area. The sequence of the increasing percentage of O₂ atoms in the capping peak to the total Ce atoms follows the sequence of the decreasing Zr/Ce molar ratio in the sample. The activity of Au/CeO₂-ZrO₂ catalysts depends on the support composition and increases with the decrease in Zr/Ce molar ratio.     

Fundamental Aspects of Ceria Supported Au Catalysts Probed by In Situ/Operando Spectroscopy and TAP Reactor Studies

The discovery of the activity of dispersed gold nanoparticles three decades ago paved the way for a new era in catalysis. The unusual behavior of these catalysts sparked many questions about their working mechanism. In particular, Au/CeO₂ proved to be an efficient catalyst in several reactions such as CO oxidation, water gas shift, and CO₂ reduction. Here, by employing findings from operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the near and extended Au and Ce L_III energy edges, we focus on the fundamental aspects of highly active Au/CeO₂ catalysts, mainly in the CO oxidation for understanding their complex structure-reactivity relationship. These results were combined with findings from in situ diffuse reflectance FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, highlighting the changes of adlayer and ceria defects. For a comprehensive understanding, the spectroscopic findings will be supplemented by results of the dynamics of O₂ activation obtained from Temporal Analysis of Products (TAP). Merging these results illuminates the complex relationship among the oxidation state, size of the Au nanoparticles, the redox properties of CeO₂ support, and the dynamics of O₂ activation.     

负载Ni催化剂用于乙二醇蒸汽重整制氢催化性能研究

采用等体积浸渍法和共沉淀法制备了Ni催化剂,在固定床反应器上考察了Ni负载量、焙烧温度、反应温度等因素对乙二醇低温重整制氢反应活性和选择性的影响。应用X射线衍射、氮物理吸附、H₂程序升温还原等技术对负载型Ni催化剂进行了表征。结果表明,共沉淀法制备的Ni/CeO₂催化剂具有较小的NiO颗粒与CeO₂载体颗粒粒径,催化活性较高。添加少量氧化钴到Ni/CeO₂催化剂中可使H₂收率达72.6%,EG转化率达93.1%。在CeO₂中添加Al₂O₃能提高负载Ni催化剂的活性,乙二醇转化率达94.0%,H₂收率达67.0%;但添加SiO₂则使其活性明显变差。     

Interface-controlled synthesis of CeO2(111) and CeO2(100) and their structural transition on Pt(111)

Ceria-based catalytic materials are known for their crystal-face-dependent catalytic properties. To obtain a molecular-level understanding of their surface chemistry, controlled synthesis of ceria with well-defined surface structures is required. We have thus studied the growth of CeO_x nanostructures (NSs) and thin films on Pt(111). The strong metal-oxide interaction has often been invoked to explain catalytic processes over the Pt/CeO_x catalysts. However, the Pt-CeO_x interaction has not been understood at the atomic level. We show here that the interfacial interaction between Pt and ceria could indeed affect the surface structures of ceria, which could subsequently determine their catalytic chemistry. While ceria on Pt(111) typically exposes the CeO₂(111) surface, we found that the structures of ceria layers with a thickness of three layers or less are highly dynamic and dependent on the annealing temperatures, owing to the electronic interaction between Pt and CeO_x. A two-step kinetically limited growth procedure was used to prepare the ceria film that fully covers the Pt(111) substrate. For a ceria film of ~3–4 monolayer (ML) thickness on Pt(111), annealing in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) at 1000 K results in a surface of CeO₂ (100), stabilized by a c-Ce₂O₃(100) buffer layer. Further oxidation at 900 K transforms the surface of the CeO₂(100) thin film into a hexagonal CeO₂(111) surface.     

Mechanochemical Activation of Cu–CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Mixture as a Promising Technique for the Solid-State Synthesis of Catalysts for the Selective Oxidation of CO in the Presence of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>

A new ecologically clean method for the solid-phase synthesis of oxide copper–ceria catalysts with the use of the mechanochemical activation of a mixture of Cu powder (8 wt %) with CeO₂ was developed. It was established that metallic copper was oxidized by oxygen from CeO₂ in the course of mechanochemical activation. The intensity of a signal due to metallic Cu in the X-ray diffraction analysis spectra decreased with the duration of mechanochemical activation. The Cu¹⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ce³⁺ ions were detected on the sample surface by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The application of temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) made it possible to detect two active oxygen species in the reaction of CO oxidation in the regions of 190 and 210–220°C by a TPR-H₂ method and in the regions of 150 and 180–190°C by a TPR-CO method. It is likely that the former species occurred in the catalytically active nanocomposite surface structures containing Cu–O–Ce bonds, whereas the latter occurred in the finely dispersed particles of CuO on the surface of CeO₂. The maximum conversion of CO (98%, 165°C) reached by the mechanochemical activation of the sample for 60 min was almost the same as conversion on a supported CuO/CeO₂ catalyst.     

Low temperature carbon monoxide catalytic oxidation at the Pd/Ce–Zr–Al–Ox catalyst

The homogeneous chemical composition ceria–zirconia–alumina (Ce–Zr–Al–O_x) nano-alloy were successfully synthesized by surfactant-assisted parallel flow co-precipitation method and applied as supports for low temperature CO oxidation. The experiment conditions were studied in detailed. At 0.92 wt% Pd loading, 30,000 ppm CO could be completely oxidized to CO₂ at 30 °C at a WHSV of 4,380 ml g^?1 h^?1 over the Pd/Ce–Zr–Al–O_x (n_Ce:n_Zr = 3:1) catalyst. Pd/Ce–Zr–Al–O_x catalysts were systematical studied by mean of BET, XRD and TEM analysis. XRD characterization showed that zirconium element entered into cubic structure of ceria and leaded to structure distortion. Addition of aluminum increased specific surface area of ceria–zirconia solid solution substantially. The average pore diameter of Ce–Zr–Al–O_x support palladium catalysts were the key impact factor for CO oxidation. When the Pd/Ce–Zr–Al–O_x catalysts had highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles, large average pore diameter, suitable surface area and pore volume, the activity of CO oxidation was the best.     

Nano ceria catalyzed Ullmann type coupling reactions

Ullmann type intermolecular coupling of aryl halide with hetero-aromatic compounds, such as phenols, amines, and thiophenols are key reactions for the formation of carbon-heteroatom bond in organic synthesis. We report a robust and novel method that provides an efficient and economic route for the synthesis of O, N, and S-arylation via Ullman coupling by using nano cerium oxide (ceria, CeO₂). CeO₂ is a cheaper catalyst compared to related copper based catalysts. This method provides a wide range of substrate applicability in the case of phenols and amines. Less reactive chlorobenzene substituted with strong electron withdrawing groups such as 4-nitrochlorobenzene and 4-cyanochlorobenzene favor the reaction. This protocol avoids the use of ligand and gives arylated product in satisfactory yields.