Interaction of Hydrogen with Ceria: Hydroxylation,Reduction, and Hydride Formation on the Surface and in the Bulk

The study reports the first attempt to address the interplay between surface and bulk in hydride formation in ceria (CeO₂) by combining experiment, using surface sensitive and bulk sensitive spectroscopic techniques on the two sample systems, i.e., CeO₂(111) thin films and CeO₂ powders, and theoretical calculations of CeO₂(111) surfaces with oxygen vacancies (O_v) at the surface and in the bulk. We show that, on a stoichiometric CeO₂(111) surface, H₂ dissociates and forms surface hydroxyls (OH). On the pre-reduced CeO_2−x samples, both films and powders, hydroxyls and hydrides (Ce−H) are formed on the surface as well as in the bulk, accompanied by the Ce³⁺ ↔ Ce⁴⁺ redox reaction. As the O_v concentration increases, hydroxyl is destabilized and hydride becomes more stable. Surface hydroxyl is more stable than bulk hydroxyl, whereas bulk hydride is more stable than surface hydride. The surface hydride formation is the kinetically favorable process at relatively low temperatures, and the resulting surface hydride may diffuse into the bulk region and be stabilized therein. At higher temperatures, surface hydroxyls can react to produce water and create additional oxygen vacancies, increasing its concentration, which controls the H₂/CeO₂ interaction. The results demonstrate a large diversity of reaction pathways, which have to be taken into account for better understanding of reactivity of ceria-based catalysts in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.     

Synthesis of CeO2 by thermal decomposition of oxalate and kinetics of thermal decomposition of precursor

CeO₂ was synthesized by calcining Ce₂(C₂O₄)₃·8H₂O above 673 K in air. The precursor and its calcined products were characterized using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The result showed that cubic CeO₂ was obtained when the precursor was calcined above 673 K in air for 2 h. The UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy studies showed that superfine CeO₂ behaved as an excellent UV-shielding material. The thermal decomposition of the precursor in air experienced two steps, which are: first, the dehydration of eight crystal water molecules, then the decomposition of Ce₂(C₂O₄)₃ into cubic CeO₂. The values of the activation energies associated with the thermal decomposition of Ce₂(C₂O₄)₃·8H₂O were determined based on the Starink equation.     

Corrosion protective ability of electrodeposited ceria layers

It has been ascertained that the electrochemically deposited thin films of cerium oxides, containing mainly CeO₂ and also some insignificant amount of Ce₂O₃, are acting as an effective cathodic coating, leading to restoration of the passive state of the studied stainless steel (OC 404) samples. This effect is associated with a strong shifting of the stationary corrosion potential of the steel in positive direction, moving over from potentials characteristic of corrosion in active state to potentials falling within the zone of passivity. In this respect, another basic purpose of the investigations was the elucidation of the mechanism of action of the cerium oxide film and in particular collecting experimental evidence for the supposition about the occurrence of an efficient depolarization reaction of CeO₂ reduction (resulting in a state of passivity—improved ability of self-passivation) instead of hydrogen depolarization reaction. For this purpose, we considered also the decrease in the surface concentration of ceria in the passive layer under the conditions of the actual corrosion process (self-dissolution) of the stainless steel by means of XPS, SEM, ICP-AES, and gravimetric analyses. A decrease in the surface concentration of CeO₂ (Ce⁴⁺) has been observed, which is known to be chemically inert in acidic media. The obtained results prove the occurrence of an effective cathodic process of Ce⁴⁺ (CeO₂) reduction into Ce³⁺ (soluble in acids Ce₂O₃ ) in the superficial oxide film.     

The relationship of morphology and catalytic performance of CeO_2 catalysts for reducing nitrobenzene to azoxybenzene under the base-free condition

CeO_2 morphology was proposed to be a crucial factor for reducing nitrobenzene to azoxybenzene under the base-free condition.Herein,the structure-activity relationship of CeO_2 catalysts was explored to improve the azoxybenzene yield.A series of CeO_2 catalysts we re synthesized with seven morphologies to obtain different Ce~(3+) proportion and various surface areas.Notably,the catalytic performance of these samples for reducing nitrobenzene to azoxybenzene enhanced with the increasing Ce~(3+) proportio n.With the highest surface Ce~(3+)proportion,the Rod-CeO_2 catalyst exhibited 100% conversion of nitrobenzene and 89.8% azoxybenzene selectivity in 7 h at 150℃ under 1 MPa CO.Moreover,the preliminary mechanistic analysis indicated that the inhabitation of azoxybenzene to by-product azobenzene resulted in the high selectivity of azoxybenzene.     

Effects of precipitants and surfactants on catalytic activity of Pd/CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for CO oxidation

A series of precipitants and commercial surfactants (soft templates) were employed to synthesize mesoporous/nano CeO₂ by a hydrothermal method. As-prepared CeO₂ was impregnated with palladium and employed for low-temperature catalytic oxidation of CO. It was found that both soft templates and precipitants had significant effects on the morphology, particle size, crystallinity, and porous structure of the CeO₂, having a significant effect on the surface palladium abundance, molar ratios of surface species, and catalytic activity of the final impregnated Pd/CeO₂. Using ammonia as precipitant could facilitate increased surface palladium abundance and surface molar ratios of PdO/Pd _SMSI , Ce³⁺/(Ce³⁺ + Ce⁴⁺), and O_surface/O_lattice. The catalytic activity of the final Pd/CeO₂ catalysts could be enhanced as well. The optimal P123-assisted ammonia-precipitated Pd/CeO₂ catalyst exhibited over 99% catalytic conversion of CO at 50 °C.     

离子交换-双氧水氧化法制备纳米CeO2晶体

以99.995% Ce(NO₃)₃和强碱性阴离子交换树脂为原料，采用离子交换-双氧水氧化法合成制备出纳米CeO₂晶体。并就离子交换反应中的Ce³⁺浓度、树脂加入速度和离子交换温度及H₂O₂加入速度等条件对CeO₂粒径的影响进行了探讨，得出了离子交换-双氧水氧化法制备纳米CeO₂晶体的最佳工艺条件。FTIR、TEM分析表明，离子交换法无需对合成的Ce(OH)₃溶胶进行洗涤即可去除NO₃^-、CO₃^2-等阴离子杂质，并用H₂O₂将该溶胶氧化，经真空干燥可制得粒径分布均匀，平均晶粒尺寸约3 nm，高纯度的CeO₂粉体。     

低于300℃时两种氧化铈材料对稀燃阶段NOx存储性能的影响

研究了低于300 ℃时两种氧化铈对稀燃阶段NO_x存储性能的影响,催化剂由2%（w）Pt/Al₂O₃（PA）与CeO₂-X（X=S,I）机械混合制备. X射线衍射（XRD）,BET表面积和扫描电子显微镜（SEM）用于表征材料的物理结构. X射线光电子能谱（XPS）和H₂程序升温还原（H₂-TPR）用于表面Ce³⁺和活性氧定量. 原位漫反射傅里叶变换红外光谱（in-situ DRIFTS）用于分析表面NO_x吸附物种. 相比于CeO₂-I,CeO₂-S 具有优良的物理化学性能,包括高比表面积、丰富的空隙结构、较高的抗老化能力及表面Ce³⁺浓度. 因而,Pt/Al₂O₃+CeO₂-S 表现出优异的NO_x存储能力. 此外,PA+CeO₂-X（X=S,I）上存在Pt 与CeO₂之间的相互作用,可提高表面氧物种的活性进而促进NO氧化及NO_x存储. PA+CeO₂-S上的这种相互作用要强于PA+CeO₂-I. 研究表明,表面Ce³⁺浓度和活性氧含量对NO_x存储起到重要作用. 然而经过水热处理后,Pt 与老化的氧化铈（ACS,ACI）之间的相互作用降低,并且两种氧化铈NO_x存储性能显著下降. 另外,与PA+ACS（ACI）相比,PA+PACS（PACI）样品NO_x存储能力得到改善,这归因于表面氧物种活性增加能促进硝酸盐的形成.     

Ceria–Zirconia Nanoparticles as an Enhanced Multi‐Antioxidant for Sepsis Treatment

The two oxidation states of ceria nanoparticles, Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺, play a pivotal role in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). In particular, Ce³⁺ is largely responsible for removing O₂⁻ and ^.OH that are associated with inflammatory response and cell death. The synthesis is reported of 2 nm ceria–zirconia nanoparticles (CZ NPs) that possess a higher Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ ratio and faster conversion from Ce⁴⁺ to Ce³⁺ than those exhibited by ceria nanoparticles. The obtained Ce_0.7Zr_0.3O₂ (7CZ) NPs greatly improve ROS scavenging performance, thus regulating inflammatory cells in a very low dose. Moreover, 7CZ NPs are demonstrated to be effective in reducing mortality and systemic inflammation in two representative sepsis models. These findings suggest that 7CZ NPs have the potential as a therapeutic nanomedicine for treating ROS‐related inflammatory diseases.     

Enhanced activity and SO2 resistance of Co-modified CeO2-TiO2 catalyst prepared by facile co-precipitation for elemental mercury removal in flue gas

The Co-modified CeO₂-TiO₂ catalyst prepared by facile co-precipitation was used for efficient elemental mercury oxidation in flue gas. Results indicated that Co doping greatly enhanced the activity and SO₂ resistance of the CeO₂-TiO₂ catalyst. In the presence of 5% O₂, 500 ppm NO, 800 ppm SO₂ and 3% H₂O at 200 °C, the Hg⁰ removal efficiency of CeCo₃/Ti could maintain at about 87% for a relatively long time. Characterizations of catalysts (BET, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, H₂-TPR, O₂-TPD, XPS, TG-MS and SO₂-DRIFTS) were carried out to reveal the mechanism of Co modification on the redox ability, SO₂ resistance and resultant mercury oxidation removal performance of catalyst. It was found that an interaction of Ce with Co promoted the dispersion of CeO₂, increased chemisorbed oxygen concentration, and improved the oxygen storage capacity and the reducibility of catalyst, which was beneficial to the improvement of Hg⁰ oxidation removal. Hg⁰ would adsorb onto the catalyst and react with surface active oxygen species replenished by gas-phase O₂ to be oxidized via Mars-Maessen mechanism. SO₂ consumed the surface active oxygen species and resulted in the reduction of Ce⁴⁺ to Ce³⁺, which induced the deactivation of catalyst. The introduced Co in CeO₂-TiO₂ catalyst exerted the function of protecting Ce⁴⁺ from being poisoned by SO₂ and thus promoted the sulfur resistance and Hg⁰ removal performance of the catalyst in the presence of SO₂.     

ESR Study of the Formation of O<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> Radical Anions on Oxidized CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Adsorbing a CO + O<Subscript>2</Subscript> Mixture

It is demonstrated by ESR measurements that O ₂ ⁻ (CO + O₂) radical anions result from CO + O₂ adsorption on the oxidized surface of CeO₂. These radical anions are stabilized in the coordination sphere of Ce⁴⁺ cations located in isolated and associated anionic vacancies. This reaction shows an activation behavior determined by CO adsorption. The variation of O ₂ ⁻ (CO + O₂) concentration with CO adsorption temperature suggests that surface carbonates and carboxylates participate in this reaction. In the (0.5– 10.0)%CeO₂/ZrO₂ system, O ₂ ⁻ forms on supported CeO₂ and is stabilized on Ce⁴⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ cations. The stability of O ₂ ⁻ -Ce⁴⁺ complexes is lower on supported CeO₂ than on unsupported CeO₂, indicating a strong interaction between the cerium cations and the support.__________Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 46, No. 3, 2005, pp. 423–429.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Il’ichev, Kuli-zade, Korchak.     

A Study of Different Doped Metal Cations on the Physicochemical Properties and Catalytic Activities of Ce20M1Ox (M=Zr,Cr, Mn,Fe, Co,Sn) Composite Oxides for Nitric Oxide Reduction by Carbon Monoxide

This work is mainly focused on investigating the effects of different doped metal cations on the formation of Ce₂₀M₁O_x (M=Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Sn) composite oxides and their physicochemical and catalytic properties for NO reduction by CO as a model reaction. The obtained samples were characterized by using N₂ physisorption, X‐ray diffraction, laser Raman spectroscopy, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature‐programmed reduction by hydrogen and by oxygen (H₂‐TPR and O₂‐TPD), in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and the NO+CO model reaction. The results imply that the introduction of M^x+ into the lattice of CeO₂ increases the specific surface area and pore volume, especially for variable valence metal cations, and enhances the catalytic performance to a great extent. In this regard, increases in the oxygen vacancies, reduction properties, and chemisorbed O₂^? (and/or O^?) species of these Ce₂₀M₁O_x composite oxides (M refers to variable valence metals) play significant roles in this reaction. Among the samples, Ce₂₀Cr₁O_x exhibited the best catalytic performance, mainly because it has the best reducibility and more chemisorbed oxygen, and significant reasons for these attributes may be closely related to favorable synergistic interactions of the vacancies and near‐surface Ce³⁺ and Cr³⁺. Finally, a possible reaction mechanism was tentatively proposed to understand the reactions.     

Structure and surface properties of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, and Zr<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> prepared by a microemulsion method according to X-ray diffraction,TPR, and EPR data

It was established by X-ray diffraction, TPR, and EPR that microemulsion (m.e.) synthesis yields the binary oxides ZrO₂(m.e.) and CeO₂(m.e.) and the mixed oxide Zr_0.5Ce_0.5O₂(m.e.) in the form of a tetragonal, cubic, and pseudocubic phase, respectively, having crystallite sizes of 5–6 nm. The bond energy of surface oxygen in the (m.e.) samples is lower than in their analogues prepared by pyrolysis. Hydrogen oxidation on the oxides under study occurs at higher temperatures than CO oxidation. ZrO₂(m.e.) and CeO₂(m.e.) are active in O₂⁻ formation during NO + O₂ adsorption, while CeO₂ is active during CO + O₂ adsorption, too. However, its amount here is one-half to one-third its amount in the pyrolysis-prepared samples, signifying a reduced number of active sites, which are Zr⁴⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ coordinatively unsaturated cations and Me⁴⁺-O²⁻ pairs. O₂⁻ radical anions are stabilized in the coordination sphere of Zr⁴⁺ coordinatively unsaturated cations via ionic bonding, and in the sphere of Ce⁴⁺ cations, via covalent bonding. Ionic bonds are stronger than ionic-covalent bonds and do not depend on the ZrO₂ phase composition. Zr_0.5Ce_0.5O₂ is inactive in these reactions because of the strong interaction of Zr and Ce cations. It is suggested that Ce^{(4 + β)+} coordinatively unsaturated cations exist on its surface, and their acid strength is lower than that of Zr⁴⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ cations in ZrO₂ and CeO₂, according to the order ZrO₂ > CeO₂ ≥ Zr_0.5Ce_0.5O₂. Neither TPR nor adsorption of probe molecules revealed Zr cations on the surface of the mixed oxide.     

纳米CexFe1-xO2固溶体的模板法制备及其乙醇水蒸气重整催化性能

以超高比表面炭材料为模板,硝酸盐为氧化物前体,通过改进的模板路线制备了具有较高比表面积的纳米CexFe1-xO2固溶体.采用X射线衍射、拉曼光谱、物理吸附和透射电镜对制备的样品进行了表征.结果表明,α-Fe2O3,CexFe1-xO2固溶体和CeO2的粒子尺寸为5~15nm,CeO2中部分Ce4 离子被Fe3 离子取代,从而形成了CexFe1-xO2固溶体.乙醇水蒸气重整反应结果显示,CexFe1-xO2固溶体比相应的α-Fe2O3和CeO2具有更高的催化活性和对氢气的选择性.     

Subsolidus phase relations in the systems CeO2RE2O3 (RE2O3 = C-type rare earth sesquioxide)

The systems CeO₂RE₂O₃ (RE₂O₃ = C-type rare earth sesquioxide) were studied to: (1) investigate the claims of several workers for the existence of a complete solid solution series between CeO₂ and RE₂O₃ and (2) to characterize the weak C-type X-ray diffraction peaks reported by others from samples in the single-phase fluorite solid solution region. It is shown that a complete solid solution series does not exist, and an explanation for the observations of others reporting such is tendered. It is also shown that the observation of C-type reflections in the supposed single-phase fluorite field can be attributed to the partial reduction of Ce⁴⁺ to Ce³⁺ at the firing temperature, resulting in the movement of the bulk composition into a two-phase field of the CeO₂RE₂O₃Ce₂O₃ phase diagram, rather than the formation of a domain structure due to ordering.     

Study on the oxygen exchange capacities of Ce<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> pyrochlore

Ce₂Sn₂O₇ pyrochlore was synthesized by a hydrothermal method. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the composition and valence state of the sample. The oxygen exchange property of the Ce₂Sn₂O₇ phase was measured by an oxidation reaction in sealed air atmosphere and a followed reduction reaction in 5% H₂-95% N₂ atmosphere. Gas chromatography (GC) was used to analyze the oxygen change in the reaction. The results show that Ce₂Sn₂O₇ sample has excellent oxygen absorption capacity at 250°C as Ce³⁺ ions are oxidized to Ce⁴⁺ ions. The oxidized sample can be reduced by 5% H₂-95% N₂. The refreshed sample remains the capacity of oxygen absorption, while the oxygen exchange capacity degrades with the reduction times.     

TSL and EPR studies of SrBPO5 doped with CeO2 and co-doped with CeO2 and Sm2O3

Thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigations were carried out on gamma irradiated SrBPO₅ samples doped with CeO₂ and co-doped with CeO₂ and Sm₂O₃. On gamma-irradiation at room temperature, BO₃ ^2–, O₂ ^– and O^– radicals were produced. It was seen that the O^– radical ion disappeared in the sample annealed at 500 K. It is proposed that the recombination between trapped electrons and O^– radical ions results in transfer of recombination energy to the impurity centre Ce³⁺ resulting in TSL glow peak at 485 K. In the case of co-doped samples energy transfer occurs between Ce³⁺ to Sm³⁺ resulting in increase in the intensity of glow peak at 485 K.The authors are grateful to Dr. V. K. Manchanda, Head, Radiochemistry Division, BARC for his keen interest and encouragement during the course of this work.     

Structural and catalytic properties of lanthanide (La, Eu, Gd) doped ceria

Ce_0.9M_0.1O_2−δ mixed oxides (M=La, Eu and Gd) were synthesized by coprecipitation. Independent of the dopant cation, the obtained solids maintain the F-type crystalline structure, characteristic of CeO₂ (fluorite structure) without phase segregation. The ceria lattice expands depending on the ionic radii of the dopant cation, as indicated by X-ray diffraction studies. This effect also agrees with the observed shift of the F_2g Raman vibrational mode. The presence of the dopant cations in the ceria lattice increases the concentration of structural oxygen vacancies and the reducibility of the redox pair Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺. All synthesized materials show higher catalytic activity for the CO oxidation reaction than that of bare CeO₂, being Eu-doped solid the one with the best catalytic performances despite of its lower surface area.     

TSL and EPR studies of SrBPO5 doped with CeO2and co-doped with CeO2 and Sm2O3

Thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigations were carried out on gamma irradiated SrBPO₅ samples doped with CeO₂ and co-doped with CeO₂ and Sm₂O₃. On gamma-irradiation at room temperature, BO₃ ^2–, O₂ ^– and O^– radicals were produced. It was seen that the O^– radical ion disappeared in the sample annealed at 500 K. It is proposed that the recombination between trapped electrons and O^– radical ions results in transfer of recombination energy to the impurity centre Ce³⁺ resulting in TSL glow peak at 485 K. In the case of co-doped samples energy transfer occurs between Ce³⁺ to Sm³⁺ resulting in increase in the intensity of glow peak at 485 K.The authors are grateful to Dr. V. K. Manchanda, Head, Radiochemistry Division, BARC for his keen interest and encouragement during the course of this work.     

Studies on lanthanoid sulphites: V. thermal decomposition of cerium and neodymium sulphites

The preparation and thermal behaviour of Ce₂(SO₃)₃· 3H₂O, Nd₂(SO₃)₃·6H₂O and Nd₂(SO₃)₃ have been studied. Cerium sulphite undergoes first dehydration which is followed by decomposition to CeO₂ in the temperature range 500 – 850 °C. The decomposition involves two intermediate phases both in air and nitrogen. According to the TG curves the phases in air are Ce₂(SO₃)₂SO₄ and Ce₂SO₃(SO₄)₂. In nitrogen, Ce₂O₂SO₄ was identified and this provides a synthetic route to cerium oxysulphate.Neodymium sulphite decomposes to Nd₂O₂SO₄ when heated in air or in nitrogen up to 950°C. The intermediate levels observed do not correspond to single phases, and the reaction mechanism depends strongly on the experimental conditions.     

Methanol conversion over CuO supported on CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>: An in situ IR spectroscopic study

The main reactions yielding hydrogen are the recombination of hydrogen atoms on copper clusters and methyl formate decomposition. Methyl formate results from the interaction between the linear methoxy group and the formate complex located on CuO. The source of CO₂ appearing in the gas phase is the formate complex, and the source of CO is methyl formate. The rates of methoxy group conversion and product formation over supports (ZrO₂, CeO₂, Ce_0.8Zr_0.2O₂) and copper-containing catalysts (5%Cu/CeO₂, 5%Cu/ZrO₂, 2%Cu/Ce_0.8Zr_0.2O₂, 2%Cu/Ce_0.1Y_0.1Zr_0.8) are compared. The dominant process in methoxy group conversion over the supports and copper-containing catalysts is methanol decomposition to H₂ and CO and to H₂ and CO₂, respectively. The methoxy group conversion rate is proportional to the H₂ and CO₂ formation rate and is determined by the concentration of supported copper.