Synthesis of highly ordered mesoporous CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and low temperature CO oxidation over Pd/mesoporous CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Highly ordered mesoporous cerium dioxide (meso-CeO₂) was successfully synthesized using a facile solvent-free infiltration method from a mesoporous silica template, KIT-6. The meso-CeO₂ material, thus obtained, exhibited well-defined mesostructure and high surface area (153 m² g⁻¹). The physicochemical properties of meso-CeO₂ material and Pd-supported on meso-CeO₂ (Pd/meso-CeO₂) were characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption–desorption, and temperature-programmed experiments. The Pd/meso-CeO₂ catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity for CO oxidation compared with those of other Pd/CeO₂ catalysts which were prepared using nanocrystalline CeO₂ and bulk-CeO₂ as the supports. Moreover, a hydrogen pretreatment of the Pd/meso-CeO₂ catalyst resulted in a remarkable increase of catalytic activity (T ₁₀₀ = 52 °C).     

Underpotential surface reduction of mesoporous CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticle films

The formation of variable-thickness CeO₂ nanoparticle mesoporous films from a colloidal nanoparticle solution (approximately 1–3-nm-diameter CeO₂) is demonstrated using a layer-by-layer deposition process with small organic binder molecules such as cyclohexanehexacarboxylate and phytate. Film growth is characterised by scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X-ray scattering and quartz crystal microbalance techniques. The surface electrochemistry of CeO₂ films before and after calcination at 500 °C in air is investigated. A well-defined Ce(IV/III) redox process confined to the oxide surface is observed. Beyond a threshold potential, a new phosphate phase, presumably CePO₄, is formed during electrochemical reduction of CeO₂ in aqueous phosphate buffer solution. The voltammetric signal is sensitive to (1) thermal pre-treatment, (2) film thickness, (3) phosphate concentration and (4) pH. The reversible ‘underpotential reduction’ of CeO₂ is demonstrated at potentials positive of the threshold. A transition occurs from the reversible ‘underpotential region’ in which no phosphate phase is formed to the irreversible ‘overpotential region’ in which the formation of the cerium(III) phosphate phase is observed. The experimental results are rationalised based on surface reactivity and nucleation effects.     

Colloidal properties of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hydrosols

CeO₂-ZrO₂ hydrosols are synthesized and the size, shape, phase composition, density, and electrophoretic mobility of particles are studied. The pH ranges of the stability of hydrosols and the thresholds of their fast coagulation in the presence of some electrolytes are determined. The nature of the aggregation stability of CeO₂-ZrO₂ hydrosols is discussed.     

CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-catalyzed ozonation of phenol

Three different cerium citrate-based precursors were used for synthesizing CeO₂ through thermal treatment. Three morphological types of CeO₂ were obtained. Characterization of these oxides was carried out by XRD patterns, SEM microscopy, N₂ adsorption isotherms, Raman spectroscopy, zeta potential, and UV/Vis luminescence. Ozonation of phenol catalyzed by CeO₂ was studied as a representative reaction of environmental interest. The differences on the catalytic activity showed by these three oxides could be correlated to amounts of Ce³⁺ on CeO₂ surface and, consequently, to the demand for oxygen needed to burn each precursor.     

Thermal synthesis of the CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-PrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>pigments

Summary The synthesis of new compounds based on the CeO₂-PrO₂-Nd₂O₃system, which can be used as pigments for colouring of ceramic glazes, is investigated in our laboratory. The optimum conditions for the syntheses of these compounds have been estimated. The methods of thermal analysis provided first information about the temperature region of the formation of the pigments investigated. The synthesis of these compounds was followed by thermal analysis using STA 449/C Jupiter (Netzsch, Germany).     

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.     

Effect of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> on the phase transformation and optical properties of photostable titanium dioxide

In the present work, the effect of individual additives calculated as molar fractions of Sb₂O₃ and CeO₂ (x _{Sb 2}O₃ range: 0.03–0.08 %, x _{CeO 2} range: 0.05–0.14 %), on the phase composition, phase transformation, and optical properties of photostable rutile titanium dioxide was studied using selective leaching method, ICP-AES technique, XRD method, spectrophotometric analysis and S _BET measurements. The starting material was hydrated titanium dioxide. It was observed that the addition of Sb₂O₃ to TiO₂ did not influence the anatase-rutile phase transformation, but increasing the CeO₂ addition caused a decrease in the rutilization degree. Thus, CeO₂ acted as an inhibitor of the TiO₂ phase transformation. Sb₂O₃ addition to TiO₂ presumably caused the formation of a co-phase of Sb with Ti. Cerium formed a separate phase, CeO₂, and reacted partly with titanium, probably creating co-phase, Ce_0.8Ti_0.2O₂. Comparing the colour of modified rutile titanium dioxide according to the type of the additive introduced, it was found that TiO₂ with CeO₂ had higher brightness but lower white tone values when compared with TiO₂ modified with Sb₂O₃. The relative lightening power and grey tone of the modified TiO₂ were higher in TiO₂ modified with Sb₂O₃. The values of the photocatalytic activity measured in all TiO₂ samples modified either with Sb₂O₃ or CeO₂ were very similar and varied around the value of 21.     

Effect of crystallographic structure on electrical and mechanical characteristics of Sm<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Doped CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> films

Electrical conductivity, dielectric permittivity and mechanical hardness of the polycrystalline CeO₂ + xSm₂O₃ (x = 0, 10.9–15.9 mol %) films prepared by Electron Beam Physical Vapour Deposition (EB-PVD) and Ionic Beam Assisted Deposition, (IBAD), techniques were investigated in dependence on their structure and microstructure influenced by the deposition conditions, namely composition, deposition temperature and Ar⁺ ion bombardment. The electrical conductivity of doped ceria prepared without Ar⁺ ion bombardment and investigated by the impedance spectroscopy, IS, was found to be predominantly ionic one under the oxidizing atmosphere/low-temperature conditions and the higher amounts of Sm₂O₃ (>10 mol %) used. The bulk conductivity as a part of total measured conductivity was a subject of interest because the grain boundary conductivity was found to be ∼3 orders of magnitude lower than the corresponding bulk conductivity. Ar⁺ ion bombardment acted as a reducer (Ce⁴⁺ → Ce³⁺) resulting in the development of electronic conductivity. Dielectric permittivity determined from the bulk parallel capacitance measured at room temperature and the frequency of 1 MHz, similarly as the mechanical hardness measured by indentation (classical Vickers and Depth Sensing Indentation-DSI) techniques were also found to be dependent on the deposition conditions. The approximative value of hardness for the investigated films deposited on the substrate was estimated using a simple phenomenological model described by the power function HV = HV ₀ + aP ^b and compared with the so-called apparent hardness (substrate + investigated film) determined by the classical Vickers formula. Results obtained are analyzed and discussed.     

Co oxidation with oxygen in the presence of hydrogen on CoO/CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CuO/CoO/CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts

The catalytic activity of the CoO/CeO₂ and CuO/CoO/CeO₂ systems in selective CO oxidation in the presence of hydrogen at 20–450°C ([CuO] = 1.0–2.5%, [CoO] = 1.0–7.0%) is reported. The maximum CO conversion (X) decreases in the following order: CuO/CoO/CeO₂ (X = 98–99%, T = 140–170°C) > CoO/CeO₂ (X = 67–84%, T = 230–240°C) > CeO₂ (X = 34%, T = 350°C). TPD, TPR, and EPR experiments have demonstrated that the high activity of CuO/CoO/CeO₂ is due to the strong interaction of the supported copper and cobalt oxides with cerium dioxide, which yields Cu-Co-Ce-O clusters on the surface. The carbonyl group in the complexes Co^δ+-CO and Cu⁺-CO is oxidized by oxygen of the Cu-Co-Ce-O clusters at 140–160°C and by oxygen of the Co-Ce-O clusters at 240°C. The decrease in the activity of the catalysts at high temperatures is due to the fact that hydrogen reduces the clusters on which CO oxidation takes place, yielding Co⁰ and Cu⁰ particles, which are inactive in CO oxidation. The hydrogenation of CO into methane at high temperatures is due to the appearance of Co⁰ particles in the catalysts.     

Synthesis of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hydrosols via peptization at room temperature

A procedure is developed for the synthesis of concentrated CeO₂-ZrO₂ hydrosols based on the peptization of a precipitate obtained by the hydrolysis of a cerium nitrate-zirconium oxynitrate mixture. The time intervals and optimum [H⁺]/[Me ⁿ⁺] molar ratios giving rise the formation of CeO₂-ZrO₂ hydrosols stable to aggregation with a narrow particle size distribution are established. The size, shape, density, and phase composition of the hydrosol particles are determined.     

Synthesis of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hydrosols via peptization at elevated temperature

A method for synthesizing aggregation-stable CeO₂-ZrO₂ hydrosols with different particle compositions is developed based on the peptization of hydrated oxide precipitates at elevated temperature. It is shown that, by varying heat treatment time, sols can be obtained with particles that have different degrees of crystallinity and sizes of no larger than 6 nm.     

Porous CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanorod-catalyzed synthesis of poly-substituted imino-pyrrolidine-thiones

Porous CeO₂ nanorod has been used as efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of highly functionalized imino-pyrrolidine-thiones via the reaction of aromatic aldehyde (especially one bearing an electron-donating group), malononitrile, isocyanide and unactivated weakly acidic heterocyclic thiophenol. The high catalytic efficiency of porous CeO₂ nanorod in this reaction was discussed preliminarily based on their morphology and structure.     

Thermal behavior of Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> mesoporous gels

Summary Titania-based photocatalytic materials were prepared by sol-gel method using Fe³⁺ and polyethyleneglycol (PEG₆₀₀) as additives. Thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and evolved gas analysis (EGA) with MS detection were used to elucidate processes that take place during heating of Fe³⁺ containing titania gels. The microstructure development of the Fe₂O₃/TiO₂ gel samples with and without PEG₆₀₀ admixtures was characterized by emanation thermal analysis (ETA) under in situ heating in air. A mathematical model was used for the evaluation of ETA results. Surface area and porosity measurements of the samples dried at 120&deg;C and the samples preheated for 1 h to 300 and 500&deg;C were compared. From the XRD measurements it was confirmed that the crystallization of anatase took place after thermal heating up to 600&deg;C.     

Physicochemical and catalytic properties of systems based on CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The effect of synthesis conditions, the nature of components, and the ratio between the components on the phase composition, the texture, and the redox and catalytic properties of the Ce-Zr-O, Ce-Zr-M₁-O (M₁ = Mn, Ni, Cu, Y, La, Pr, or Nd), N/Ce-Zr-O (N = Rh, Pd, or Pt), and Pd/Ce-Zr-M₂-O/Al₂O₃ (M₂ = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, La, Pr, Nd, or Sm) was considered. A cubic solid solution with the fluorite structure was formed on the introduction of <50 mol % zirconium into CeO₂, and the stability of this solid solution depended on preparation procedure and treatment conditions. The presence of transition or rare earth elements in certain concentrations extended the range of compositions with the retained fluorite structure. The texture of the Ce-Zr-O system mainly depended on treatment temperature. An increase in this temperature resulted in a decrease in the specific surface area of the samples. The total pore volume varied over the range of 0.2–0.3 cm³/g and depended on the Ce/Zr ratio. The presence of transition or rare earth elements either increased the specific surface area of the system or made it more stable to thermal treatment. The introduction of the isovalent cation Zr⁴⁺ into CeO₂ increased the number of lattice defects both on the surface and in the bulk to increase the mobility of oxygen and facilitate its diffusion in the Ce_{1 − x} Zr _x O₂ lattice. The catalytic properties of the Ce-Zr-M₁-O or N/Ce-Zr-M₂-O systems were due to the presence of anion vacancies and the easy transitions Ce⁴⁺ ai Ce³⁺, M₁²ⁿ⁺ ai M₁ ⁿ⁺, and N ^δ+ → N ⁰ in the case of noble metals.     

Study of doped CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> prepared by different synthesis

The compounds based on CeO₂ belong to the group of high-temperature pigments. The principal of these pigments makes the host lattice of the CeO₂, which is doped by terbium and zirconium ions, that lead to obtaining of the interesting dark orange colour. The research is focused on three different methods of synthesis. The pigments have been prepared by the classical dry proces (i.e. solid-state reaction) in the temperature range from 1,200 to 1,600 °C, by the precipitation and as the last method a simulation of ‘Mixer Dryer Reactor’(MDR) under laboratory conditions (two-step process) was used. The aim was to improve and optimize the synthesis conditions of studied pigments. The compounds were also evaluated from the point of view of their colour properties and structure.     

Solid electrolytes based on CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for medium-temperature electrochemical devices

CeO₂-based solid solutions with a fluorite structure are promising materials as electrolytes of medium-temperature electrochemical devices: electrolytic cells, oxygen sensors, and solid oxide fuel cells. In this work, studies are presented of the effect of the dopant cation radius and its concentration on the physico-chemical properties of the Ce_{1 − x} Ln _x O_{2 − δ} solid solutions (x = 0–0.20; Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb) and also of multicomponent solid solutions of Ce_{1 − x} Ln _x/2Ln′ _x/2O_{2 − δ} (x = 0–0.20; Ln = Sm, La, Gd and Ln′ = Dy, Nd, Y) and Ce_{1 − x − y} Sm _x M _y O_{2 − δ} (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) obtained using the solid-phase synthesis technique. Electric properties of the samples were studied in the temperature range of 623–1173 K and in the oxygen partial pressure range of 0.01–10⁻²² MPa. The values of oxygen critical pressure ( p_O2 ^* )\left( {p_{O_2 }^* } \right) are presented, at which the ionic and electron conductivity values are equal. The values were calculated on the basis of experimental dependences at 1023 K at the assumption that the ionic conductivity value is determined only by the dopant concentration and its effective ionic radius and is independent of the oxygen partial pressure.     

Effect of the microstructure of the supported catalysts CuO/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CuO/(CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) on their catalytic properties in carbon monoxide oxidation

The effect of the microstructure of titanium dioxide on the structure, thermal stability, and catalytic properties of supported CuO/TiO₂ and CuO/(CeO₂-TiO₂) catalysts in CO oxidation was studied. The formation of a nanocrystalline structure was found in the CuO/TiO₂ catalysts calcined at 500°C. This nanocrystalline structure consisted of aggregated fine anatase particles about 10 nm in size and interblock boundaries between them, in which Cu²⁺ ions were stabilized. Heat treatment of this catalyst at 700°C led to a change in its microstructure with the formation of fine CuO particles 2.5–3 nm in size, which were strongly bound to the surface of TiO₂ (anatase) with a regular well-ordered crystal structure. In the CuO/(CeO₂-TiO₂) catalysts, the nanocrystalline structure of anatase was thermally more stable than in the CuO/TiO₂ catalyst, and it persisted up to 700°C. The study of the catalytic properties of the resulting catalysts showed that the CuO/(CeO₂-TiO₂) catalysts with the nanocrystalline structure of anatase were characterized by the high-est activity in CO oxidation to CO₂.