Nanosized CeO2–SiO2, CeO2–TiO2, and CeO2–ZrO2 Mixed Oxides: Influence of Supporting Oxide on Thermal Stability and Oxygen Storage Properties of Ceria

The influence of SiO₂, TiO₂, and ZrO₂ on the structural and redox properties of CeO₂ were systematically investigated by various techniques namely, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM), BET surface area, and thermogravimetry methods. The effect of supporting oxides on the crystal modification of ceria was also mainly focused. The investigated oxides were obtained by soft chemical routes with ultrahigh dilute solutions and were subjected to thermal treatments from 773 to 1073 K. The XRD results suggest that the CeO₂–SiO₂ sample primarily consists of nanocrystalline CeO₂ on the amorphous SiO₂ surface. Both crystalline CeO₂ and TiO₂-anatase phases were noted in the case of CeO₂–TiO₂ sample. Formation of cubic Ce_0.75Zr_0.25O₂ and Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ (at 1073 K) were observed in the case of CeO₂–ZrO₂ sample. The cell ‘a’ parameter estimations revealed an expansion of the ceria lattice in the case of CeO₂–TiO₂, while a contraction is noted in the case of CeO₂–ZrO₂. The DRS studies suggest that the supporting oxides significantly influence the band gap energy of CeO₂. Raman measurements disclose the presence of oxygen vacancies, lattice defects, and displacement of oxide ions from their normal lattice positions in the case of CeO₂–TiO₂ and CeO₂–ZrO₂ samples. The XPS studies revealed the presence of silica, titania, and zirconia in their highest oxidation states, Si(IV), Ti(IV), and Zr(IV) at the surface of the materials. Cerium is present in both Ce⁴⁺ and Ce³⁺ oxidation states. The HREM results reveal well-dispersed CeO₂ nanocrystals over the amorphous SiO₂ matrix in the case of CeO₂–SiO₂, isolated CeO₂ and TiO₂ (A) nanocrystals and some overlapping regions in the case of CeO₂–TiO₂, and nanosized CeO₂ and Ce–Zr oxides in the case of CeO₂–ZrO₂ sample. The exact structural features of these crystals as determined by digital diffraction analysis of HREM experimental images reveal that the CeO₂ is mainly in cubic fluorite geometry. The oxygen storage capacity (OSC) as determined by thermogravimetry reveals that the OSC of mixed oxides is more than that of pure CeO₂ and the CeO₂–ZrO₂ exhibits highest OSC.     

Infrared spectroscopic study on the reaction mechanism of CO hydrogenation over Pd/CeO2

In situ infrared spectroscopy was applied to elucidate the reaction mechanism of CO hydrogenation over Pd/CeO₂. Instead of direct dissociation of CO, a new reaction pathway is proposed for methane formation, involving geminal dicarbonyl intermediates and (HCO)₂(a) intermediates, which may be located on the surface of Pd covered with thin layers of reduced ceria (SMST effect). Transformation of methane formation sites into methanol formation ones by the oxidation with water vapor formed during the CO-H₂ reaction is proposed, which may be located on the Pd (111) planes adjacent to ceria support.     

Characterization of Ru/CeO2-Al2O3 catalysts and their Performance in CO2 Methanation

Ru/Al₂O₃ and Ru/CeO₂-Al₂O₃ samples were used as catalysts in CO₂ methanation. The catalysts were characterized by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and X-ray diffraction. The promoting effect of ceria on the cataytic activity of the catalysts under study in CO₂ methanation was observed.     

Synthesis of ceria nanosheets on the surface of Ce(NO3)3 solution by interaction with gaseous ammonia

The surfactant-free synthesis of a solid film of ceria was carried out at the air–water interface from an aqueous solution of Ce(NO₃)₃ and gaseous NH₃ as reactants. The synthesized CeO_2?x ? n H₂O film consists of 2D nanocrystals with a fluorite structure. The film can form a planar coating on the surface of a solid substrate or transform into curved fragments upon drying, depending on the synthesis conditions.     

Phonon–phonon interactions in Ce0.85Gd0.15O2−δ nanocrystals studied by Raman spectroscopy

Phonon–phonon interactions and phase stability of Gd‐doped ceria nanocrystals were examined over the temperature range 293–1100 K by Raman spectroscopy. The phonon confinement model (PCM) based on size, inhomogeneous strain and anharmonic effects was used to properly describe the anharmonic interactions in this system. The interplay between size and anharmonic effects influenced different phonon decay channels in nano grains than in larger grains. After the gradual cooling down to room temperature (RT), the Raman study revealed the phase separation in this system pointing to the phase instability of Ce_0.85Gd_0.15O_2−δ nanocrystals after heat treatment. The concentration of extrinsic (intrinsic) oxygen vacancies was also studied by Raman spectroscopy during the heat treatment of the Ce_0.85Gd_0.15O_2−δ nanocrystalline sample. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Origin of high oxide to nitride polishing selectivity of ceria-based slurry in the presence of picolinic acid

We report on the investigation of the origin of high oxide to nitride polishing selectivity of ceria-based slurry in the presence of picolinic acid.The oxide to nitride removal selectivity of the ceria slurry with picolinic acid is as high as 76.6 in the chemical mechanical polishing.By using zeta potential analyzer,particle size analyzer,horizon profilometer,thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,the pre-and the post-polished wafer surfaces as well as the pre-and the post-used ceria-based slurries are compared.Possible mechanism of high oxide to nitride selectivity with using ceria-based slurry with picolinic acid is discussed.     

银基陶瓷复合电极的电性能及其在固体氧化物燃料电池中的应用

银基陶瓷复合电极可望在中低温固体氧化物燃料电池(SOFCs)、含碳燃料SOFCs和固体氧化物电解池(SOECs)中得到广泛应用。为优选出银基陶瓷复合电极的成分,本研究采用YSZ(钇稳定化氧化锆)电解质,先将Ag-YSZ和Ag-GDC(掺钆氧化铈)材料制备成对称电极,测试其在空气下的阻抗谱,由此判断其作为阴极的性能;发现在相同的Ag含量时, Ag-YSZ的阴极极化电阻普遍低于Ag-GDC;当Ag的质量分数为65%时, Ag-YSZ的极化电阻最低,而对于Ag-GDC, Ag的质量分数是70%。然后采用空气中极化电阻最低的Ag-YSZ和Ag-GDC作为电极制备了SOFC单电池,并采用加湿氢气燃料对电池的电化学性能进行了测试。根据电池的阻抗谱数据,将极化阻抗的数值减去上述阴极阻抗的数值可得到阳极阻抗值,其结果和电池的输出特性均表明, Ag-GDC作为阳极的性能优于Ag-YSZ,即在本实验条件下, Ag-YSZ更适合用作阴极,而Ag-GDC更适合用作阳极。本研究不仅提供了关于银基复合电极材料的有用数据,还提供了一种测试SOFC阳极极化电阻的方法。     

阳离子聚氨酯/CeO2纳米复合材料的制备

二氧化铈;阳离子聚氨酯/CeO2纳米复合材料的制备     

Maximum Noble‐Metal Efficiency in Catalytic Materials: Atomically Dispersed Surface Platinum

Platinum is the most versatile element in catalysis, but it is rare and its high price limits large‐scale applications, for example in fuel‐cell technology. Still, conventional catalysts use only a small fraction of the Pt content, that is, those atoms located at the catalyst’s surface. To maximize the noble‐metal efficiency, the precious metal should be atomically dispersed and exclusively located within the outermost surface layer of the material. Such atomically dispersed Pt surface species can indeed be prepared with exceptionally high stability. Using DFT calculations we identify a specific structural element, a ceria “nanopocket”, which binds Pt²⁺ so strongly that it withstands sintering and bulk diffusion. On model catalysts we experimentally confirm the theoretically predicted stability, and on real Pt‐CeO₂ nanocomposites showing high Pt efficiency in fuel‐cell catalysis we also identify these anchoring sites.