Visualization of the Heterogeneity of Cerium Oxidation States in Single Pt/Ce2Zr2Ox Catalyst Particles by Nano‐XAFS

The cerium oxidation states in single catalyst particles of Pt/Ce₂Zr₂O_x (x=7 to 8) were investigated by spatially resolved nano X‐ray absorption fine structure (nano‐XAFS) using an X‐ray nanobeam. Differences in the distribution of the Ce oxidation states between Pt/Ce₂Zr₂O_x single particles of different oxygen compositions x were visualized in the obtained two‐dimensional X‐ray fluorescent (XRF) mapping images and the Ce L_III‐edge nano X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (nano‐XANES) spectra.     

Imaging of Oxygen Diffusion in Individual Platinum/Ce2Zr2Ox Catalyst Particles During Oxygen Storage and Release

The spatial distribution of Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ in each particle of Ce₂Zr₂O_x in a three‐way conversion catalyst system was successfully imaged during an oxygen storage/release cycle by scanning X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) using hard X‐ray nanobeams. For the first time, nano‐XAFS imaging visualized and identified the modes of non‐uniform oxygen diffusion from the interface of Pt catalyst and Ce₂Zr₂O_x support and the active parts in individual catalyst particles.     

Fe K‐Edge X‐ray Absorption Fine Structure Determination of γ‐Al2O3‐Supported Iron‐Oxide Species

The structure of FeO_x species supported on γ‐Al₂O₃ was investigated by using Fe K‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The samples were prepared through the impregnation of iron nitrate on Al₂O₃ and co‐gelation of aluminum and iron sulfates. The dependence of the XRD patterns on Fe loading revealed the formation of α‐Fe₂O₃ particles at an Fe loading of above 10 wt %, whereas the formation of iron‐oxide crystals was not observed at Fe loadings of less than 9.0 wt %. The Fe K‐edge XAFS was characterized by a clear pre‐edge peak, which indicated that the Fe?O coordination structure deviates from central symmetry and that the degree of Fe?O?Fe bond formation is significantly lower than that in bulk samples at low Fe loading (<9.0 wt %). Fe K‐edge extended XAFS oscillations of the samples with low Fe loadings were explained by assuming an isolated iron‐oxide monomer on the γ‐Al₂O₃ surface.     

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.     

Preparation and Characterization of Mg‐Zr Mixed Oxide Aerogels and Their Application as Aldol Condensation Catalysts

A series of Mg‐Zr mixed oxides with different nominal Mg/ (Mg+Zr) atomic ratios, namely 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.85, and 1, is prepared by alcogel methodology and fundamental insights into the phases obtained and resulting active sites are studied. Characterization is performed by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, and thermal and chemical analysis. Cubic Mg_xZr_1?xO_2?x solid solution, which results from the dissolution of Mg²⁺ cations within the cubic ZrO₂ structure, is the main phase detected for the solids with theoretical Mg/ (Mg+Zr) atomic ratio ≤0.4. In contrast, the cubic periclase (c‐MgO) phase derived from hydroxynitrates or hydroxy precursors predominates in the solid with Mg/(Mg+Zr)=0.85. c‐MgO is also incipiently detected in samples with Mg/(Mg+Zr)=0.2 and 0.4, but in these solids the c‐MgO phase mostly arises from the segregation of Mg atoms out of the alcogel‐derived c‐Mg_xZr_1?xO_2?x phase during the calcination process, and therefore the species c‐MgO and c‐Mg_xZr_1?xO_2?x are in close contact. Regarding the intrinsic activity in furfural–acetone aldol condensation in the aqueous phase, these Mg? O? Zr sites located at the interface between c‐Mg_xZr_1?xO_2?x and segregated c‐MgO display a much larger intrinsic activity than the other noninterface sites that are present in these catalysts: Mg? O? Mg sites on c‐MgO and Mg? O? Zr sites on c‐Mg_xZr_1?xO_2?x. The very active Mg? O? Zr sites rapidly deactivate in the furfural–acetone condensation due to the leaching of active phases, deposition of heavy hydrocarbonaceous compounds, and hydration of the c‐MgO phase. Nonetheless, these Mg‐Zr materials with very high specific surface areas would be suitable solid catalysts for other relevant reactions catalyzed by strong basic sites in nonaqueous environments.     

铈锆比对低贵金属Pt＋Rh/Ce0.3＋xZr0.6－xY0.1O1.95＋Al2O3三效催化剂性能的影响

用共沉淀法制得一系列铈锆比不同的Ce_0.3＋xZr_0.6－xY_0.1O_1.95储氧材料, 并用于制备了一系列低贵金属Pt＋Rh/Ce_0.3＋xZr_0.6－xY_0.1O_1.95＋Al₂O₃三效催化剂. 用比表面、程序升温还原以及X射线衍射对该系列催化剂进行表征, 结果发现, 催化剂的活性与催化剂中贵金属的还原性能密切相关, 低铈储氧材料比高铈储氧材料更有利于促进贵金属还原, 因而含低铈储氧材料催化剂的活性明显优于含高铈储氧材料催化剂的活性, Pt＋Rh/Ce_0.35Zr_0.55Y_0.1O_1.95＋Al₂O₃的活性最佳, 对HC, CO和NO的起燃温度最低分别为: 235, 175, 200 ℃. 样品经1000 ℃水热老化之后, 贵金属Pt被烧结而发生迁移, 使得催化剂的活性及还原性能变差, 含低铈材料的催化剂的抗老化性能优于含高铈材料的催化剂, 其中Pt＋Rh/Ce_0.35Zr_0.55Y_0.1O_1.95＋Al₂O₃的抗老化性能最好.     

Synthesis of Hierarchical Macro‐/Mesoporous Solid‐Solution Photocatalysts by a Polymerization–Carbonization–Oxidation Route: The Case of Ce0.49Zr0.37Bi0.14O1.93

A hierarchical macro‐/mesoporous Ce_0.49Zr_0.37Bi_0.14O_1.93 solid‐solution network has been synthesized on a large scale by means of a simple and general polymerization–carbonization–oxidation synthetic route. The as‐prepared product has been characterized by SEM, XRD, TEM, BET surface area measurement, UV/Vis diffuse‐reflectance spectroscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and photoelectrochemistry measurements. The photocatalytic activity of the product has been demonstrated through the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. Structural characterization has indicated that the hierarchical macro‐/mesoporous solid‐solution network not only contains numerous macropores, but also possesses an interior mesoporous structure. The mesopore size and BET surface area of the network have been measured as 2–25 nm and 140.5 m² g^?1, respectively. The hierarchical macro‐/mesoporous solid‐solution network with open and accessible pores was found to be well‐preserved after calcination at 800 °C, indicating especially high thermal stability. Due to its high specific surface area, the synergistic effect of the coupling of macropores and mesopores, and its high crystallinity, the Ce_0.49Zr_0.37Bi_0.14O_1.93 solid‐solution material shows a strong structure‐induced enhancement of visible‐light harvest and exhibits significantly improved visible‐light photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of methyl orange compared with those of its other forms, such as mesoporous hollow spheres and bulk particles.     

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.     

Role of yttrium loading in the physico-chemical properties and soot combustion activity of ceria and ceria–zirconia catalysts

Ce_1−xY_xO₂ and Ce_0.85−xZr_0.15Y_xO₂ mixed oxides have been prepared by 1000 °C-nitrates calcination to ensure thermally stable catalysts. The physico-chemical properties of the mixed oxides have been studied by N₂ adsorption at −196 °C, XPS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and H₂-TPR, and the catalytic activity for soot oxidation in air has been studied by TG in the loose and tight contact modes. Yttrium is accumulated at the surface of Ce_1−xY_xO₂ and Ce_0.85−xZr_0.15Y_xO₂, and this accumulation is more pronounced for the former formulation than for the latter, because the deformation of the lattice due to zirconium doping favours yttrium incorporation. Yttrium and zirconium exhibit opposite effects on the surface concentration of cerium; while zirconium promotes the formation of cerium-rich surfaces, yttrium hinders the accumulation of cerium on the surface. For experiments in tight contact between soot and catalyst, all the Ce_1−xY_xO₂ catalysts are more active than bare CeO₂, and Ce_0.99Y_0.01O₂ is the most active catalyst. The benefit of yttrium doping in catalytic activity of ceria can be related to two facts: (i) the Y³⁺ surface enrichment hinders crystallite growth; (ii) the surface segregation of Y³⁺ promotes oxygen vacancies creation. High yttrium loading (x = 0.12) is less effective than low dosage (x = 0.01) because yttrium is mainly accumulated at the surface of the particles and hinders the participation of cerium in the soot oxidation reaction, which is the active component. For the mixed oxides with formulation Ce_0.85−xZr_0.15Y_xO₂ (operating in tight contact) the effect of zirconium on the catalytic activity prevails with respect to that of yttrium. For experiments in loose contact between soot and catalyst, the catalytic activity depends on their BET surface area, and the catalysts Ce_0.85−xZr_0.15Y_xO₂ (BET = 10–13 m²/g) are more active than the catalysts Ce_1−xY_xO₂ (BET = 2–3 m²/g). In the loose contact mode, the yttrium doping and loading have a minor or null affect on the activity, and the stabilising effect of the BET area due to zirconium doping prevails.     

Catalytic Properties of Nanoscale Iron‐Doped Zirconia Solid‐Solution Aerogels

Nanoscale iron‐doped zirconia solid‐solution aerogels are prepared via a simple ethanol thermal route using zirconyl nitrate and iron nitrate as starting materials, followed by a supercritical fluid drying process. Structural characteristics are investigated by means of powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analyses (TG/DTA), N₂ adsorption measurements and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The results show that the resulting iron‐doped solid solutions are metastable tetragonal zirconia which exhibit excellent dispersibility and high solubility of iron oxide. Further, when the Fe:(Fe+Zr) ratio x is lower than 0.10, all of the Fe³⁺ ions can be incorporated into ZrO₂ by substituting Zr⁴⁺ to form Zr_1?xFe_xO_y solid solutions. Moreover, for the first time, an additional hydroxyl group band that is not present in pure ZrO₂ is observed by DRIFTS for the Zr(Fe)O₂ solid solution. This is direct evidence of Fe³⁺ ions incorporated into ZrO₂. These Zr_1?xFe_xO_y solid solutions are excellent catalysts for the solvent‐free aerobic oxidation of n‐hexadecane using air as the oxidant under ambient conditions. The Zr_0.8Fe_0.2O_y solid‐solution catalyst demonstrates the best catalytic properties, with the conversion of n‐hexadecane reaching 36.2 % with 48 % selectivity for ketones and 24 % selectivity for alcohols and it can be recycled five times without significant loss of activity.     

Synthesis and structure determination of Ce6Cd23Te: a new chalcogen‐containing member of the RE6Cd23T family (RE is a rare‐earth metal and T is a late group 14, 15 and 16 element)

The ternary phase hexacerium tricosacadmium telluride, Ce₆Cd₂₃Te, was synthesized by a high‐temperature reaction of the elements in sealed Nb ampoules and was structurally characterized by powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structure, established from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction methods, is isopointal with the Zr₆Zn₂₃Si structure type (Pearson symbol cF 120, cubic space group Fm m ), a filled version of the Th₆Mn₂₃ structure with the same space group and Pearson symbol cF 116. Though no Cd‐containing rare‐earth metal binaries are known to form with this structure, it appears that the addition of small amounts of a p‐block element allows the formation of such interstitially stabilized ternary compounds. Temperature‐dependent direct current (dc) magnetization measurements suggest local‐moment magnetism arising from the Ce³⁺ ground state, with possible valence fluctuations at low temperature, inferred from the deviations from the Curie–Weiss law.     

Relationship between oxygen species and activity/stability in heteroatom (Zr,Y)-doped cerium-based catalysts for catalytic decomposition of CH3SH

CeO₂, Ce_1–xZr_xO₂, and Ce_1–xY_xO_2–δ (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00) have been rapidly synthesized to estimate their catalytic behavior in decomposing CH₃SH. The role of oxygen vacancies, and the relationship between the oxygen species and catalytic properties of CeO₂ and Zr-doped and Y-doped ceria-based materials are investigated in detail. Combining the observed catalytic performance with the characterization results, it can be deemed that surface lattice oxygen plays a critical role in methanethiol catalytic conversion over cerium oxides. Ce_0.75Zr_0.25O₂ shows higher catalytic activity for CH₃SH decomposition due to the large amount of surface lattice oxygen, readily available oxygen species, and excellent redox properties. Ce_0.75Y_0.25O_2–δ displays better catalytic stability owing to the greater number of oxygen vacancies that would promote bulk lattice oxygen migration to the surface of the catalyst in order to replenish surface lattice oxygen. In addition, the results show that the difference in chemical valence between Ce and the heteroatoms would strongly influence the amount of surface lattice oxygen as well as the mobility of bulk-phase oxygen in these catalysts, thus affecting their activity and stability.     

Highly Dispersed Ce x Zr1−x O2 Nano-Oxides Over Alumina, Silica and Titania Supports for Catalytic Applications

We have been exploring the utilization of supported ceria and ceria–zirconia nano-oxides for different catalytic applications. In this comprehensive investigation, a series of Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂/Al₂O₃, Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂/SiO₂ and Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂/TiO₂ composite oxide catalysts were synthesized and subjected to thermal treatments from 773 to 1073 K to examine the influence of support on thermal stability, textural properties and catalytic activity of the ceria–zirconia solid solutions. The physicochemical characterization studies were performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM), thermogravimetry and BET surface area methods. To evaluate the catalytic properties, oxygen storage/release capacity (OSC) and CO oxidation activity measurements were carried out. The XRD analyses revealed the formation of Ce_0.75Zr_0.25O₂, Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂, Ce_0.16Zr_0.84O₂ and Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ phases depending on the nature of support and calcination temperature employed. Raman spectroscopy measurements in corroboration with XRD results suggested enrichment of zirconium in the Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂ solid solutions with increasing calcination temperature thereby resulting in the formation of oxygen vacancies, lattice defects and oxygen ion displacement from the ideal cubic lattice positions. The HREM results indicated a well-dispersed cubic Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂ phase of the size around 5 nm over all supports at 773 K and there was no appreciable increase in the size after treatment at 1073 K. The XPS studies revealed the presence of cerium in both Ce⁴⁺ and Ce³⁺ oxidation states in different proportions depending on the nature of support and the treatment temperature applied. All characterization techniques indicated absence of pure ZrO₂ and crystalline inactive phases between Ce–Al, Ce–Si and Ce–Ti oxides. Among the three supports employed, silica was found to stabilize more effectively the nanosized Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂ oxides by retarding the sintering phenomenon during high temperature treatments, followed by alumina and titania. Interestingly, the alumina supported samples exhibited highest OSC and CO oxidation activity followed by titania and silica. Details of these findings are consolidated in this review.     

Nitrides with Inverse K2[NiF4] Structure: (R1–xCa3+xN1–x/3)Bi2 with R = Rare‐Earth Metal

The novel nitrides (R_1–xCa_3+xN_1–x/3)Bi₂ (with R = La, Ce, Pr) crystallize in the K₂[NiF₄] structure type (I4/mmm, No. 139, Z = 2). Samples (La_1–xCa_3+xN_1–x/3)Bi₂ with x = 0.10, 0.05, 0.00, (Ce_1–xCa_3+xN_1–x/3)Bi₂ with x = 0.30, and (PrCa₃N)Bi₂ were obtained as single phase microcrystalline powders according to X‐ray diffraction and the crystal structure details were derived from Rietveld refinements based on X‐ray and neutron diffraction powder patterns. A partial order of R³⁺/Ca²⁺ on two crystallographic sites is governed by different ionic radii and charges. (La_1–xCa_3+xN_1–x/3)Bi₂ and (Ce_1–xCa_3+xN_1–x/3)Bi₂ exhibit small homogeneity ranges and typically a nitrogen deficiency. In contrast, for (PrCa₃N)Bi₂ no indications for a significant homogeneity range or deficiency of nitrogen was observed. (La_1–xCa_3+xN_1–x/3)Bi₂ with x = 0.05 is a diamagnet. X‐ray absorption spectroscopy at the CeL₃‐edge as well as magnetic susceptibility measurements evidence that (Ce_1–xCa_3+xN_1–x/3)Bi₂ with x = 0.30 contains Ce³⁺ in the 4f¹ configuration. According to electrical resistivity data, samples from all three systems are heavily doped semiconductors.     

Assembly of Cerium(III)‐Stabilized Polyoxotungstate Nanoclusters with SeO32−/TeO32− Templates: From Single Polyoxoanions to Inorganic Hollow Spheres in Dilute Solution

A versatile one‐pot strategy was employed to synthesize three cerium(III)‐stabilized polyoxotungstates nanoclusters by combining cerium linkers and SeO₃^2?/TeO₃^2? heteroanion templates: K₃₂Na₁₆[{(XO₃)W₁₀O₃₄}₈{Ce₈(H₂O)₂₀}(WO₂)₄‐ (W₄O₁₂)] ? n H₂O [X=Se, n=81 ( 1 ); X=Te, n=114 ( 2 )] and K₁₂Na₂₂[{(SeO₃)W₁₀O₃₄}₈{Ce₈(H₂O)₂₀}(WO₂)₄‐ {(W₄O₆)Ce₄(H₂O)₁₄(SeO₃)₄(NO₃)₂}] ? 79 H₂O ( 3 ), which are the first lanthanide‐containing polyoxotungstates with selenium or tellurium heteroatoms. The three clusters were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis, UV/Vis spectroscopy, ESI‐MS, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Their electrochemical, photoluminescence, and magnetic properties were investigated. Their behavior in solution was studied by transmission electron microscopy, which showed that their single polyoxoanions assemble into intact, uniform‐sized, purely inorganic hollow spheres in dilute water/acetone solution.     

In‐situ XAFS Studies of Mn12 Molecular‐Cluster Batteries: Super‐Reduced Mn12 Clusters in Solid‐State Electrochemistry

In situ X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses were performed on rechargeable molecular cluster batteries (MCBs), which were formed by a lithium anode and cathode‐active material, [Mn₁₂O₁₂(CH₃CH₂C(CH₃)₂COO)₁₆(H₂O)₄] with tert‐pentyl carboxylate ligand (abbreviated as Mn12tPe), and with eight Mn³⁺ and four Mn⁴⁺ centers. This mixed valence cluster compound is used in an effort to develop a reusable in situ battery cell that is suitable for such long‐term performance tests. The Mn12tPe MCBs exhibit a large capacity of approximately 210 Ah kg⁻¹ in the voltage range V=4.0–2.0 V. The X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectra exhibit a systematic change during the charging/discharging with an isosbestic point at 6555 eV, which strongly suggests that only either the Mn³⁺ or Mn⁴⁺ ions in the Mn12 skeleton are involved in this battery reaction. The averaged manganese valence, determined from the absorption‐edge energy, decreased monotonically from 3.3 to 2.5 in the first half of the discharging (4.0>V>2.8 V), but changed little in the second half (2.8>V>2.0 V). The former valence change indicates a reduction of the initial [Mn12]⁰ state by approximately ten electrons, which corresponds well with the half value of the observed capacity. Therefore, the large capacity of the Mn12 MCBs can be understood as being due to a combination of the redox change of the manganese ions and presumably a capacitance effect. The extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) indicates a gradual increase of the Mn²⁺ sites in the first half of the discharging, which is consistent with the XANES spectra. It can be concluded that the Mn12tPe MCBs would include a solid‐state electrochemical reaction, mainly between the neutral state [Mn12]⁰ and the super‐reduced state [Mn12]⁸⁻ that is obtained by a local reduction of the eight Mn³⁺ ions in Mn12 toward Mn²⁺ ions.     

Preparation and Photocatalytic Properties of Ti1-xZrxO2 Solid Solution

A series of Ti1-xZrxO2 materials were synthesized through a multistep sol-gel process. The structural characteristics were investigated using X-ray diffraction （XRD）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） and Raman measurements. The experimental results showed that a solid solution could be obtained at low Zr/（Ti＋Zr） molar ratios （x ≤0.319）. Raman measurements exhibited that the presence of zirconium in the solid solutions greatly retarded the amorphous-anatase and anatase-rutile transitions. The diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectra revealed that the bandgap of the solid solution was enlarged gradually with the increment of incorporated zirconium content. The Ti1-xZrxO2 solid solutions exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than pure TiO2 for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol aqueous solution.     

Oxidation‐State Analysis of Ceria by X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Three different methods to determine the oxide‐phase concentration in mixed cerium oxide by hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy are applied and quantitatively compared. Synchrotron‐based characterization of the O 1s region was used as a benchmark to introduce a method based on the weighted superposition of the Ce 3d spectra of the pure Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ phases, which was shown to lead to reliable and highly accurate determination of the mean oxidation state in mixed cerium oxides. The results obtained reveal a linear relation between the third distinct final state (u′′′) satellite peak intensity of the Ce⁴⁺ phase and the Ce⁴⁺ concentration by proper inclusion of Ce³⁺‐related plasmon satellite peaks, which contradicts previous claims of nonlinear behavior. In contrast, quantitative conventional peak‐fitting procedures were shown to be well suited for the Ce 2p region due to its relatively simple structure. Additional satellite features observed in the Ce 3d spectrum of CeO₂ were proposed to originate from plasmon contributions.     

Physicochemical properties of the surface of the (Y,La0.1)Ce x Zr1? x O2?δ( x = 0.1–0.7) and Y0.1Pr0.3Zr0.6O2?δ complex oxide systems

The physicochemical properties of the surface of the Y_0.1Ce _x Zr_1−x O_2−δ, La_0.1Ce _x Zr_1−x O_2−δ (x=0.1–0.7), and Y_0.1Pr_0.3Zr_0.6O_2−δ. complex oxide systems were studied using IR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. An appreciable enrichment of the surface of the solids in rare-earth-metal cations (cerium or praseodymium) during the synthesis was revealed. While cations are uniformly spread over the surface of cerium-zirconium solid solutions, the Y_0.1Pr_0.3Zr_0.6O_2−δ surface is covered by the clusters or even a phase of praseodymia. Reductive treatment in hydrogen with subsequent reoxidation results in the segregation of cerium ions on the Y_0.1Ce_0.3Zr_0.6O_2−δ surface at a temperature as low as 770 K. Original Russian Text ? A.N. Kharlanov, L.N. Ikryannikova, V.V. Lunin, A. Yu. Stakheev, 2007, published in Zhurnal Fizicheskoi Khimii, 2007, Vol. 81, No. 7, pp. 1271–1277.     

Time‐Resolved,In Situ DRIFTS/EDE/MS Studies on Alumina‐Supported Rhodium Catalysts: Effects of Ceriation and Zirconiation on Rhodium–CO Interactions

The effects of ceria and zirconia on the structure–function properties of supported rhodium catalysts (1.6 and 4 wt % Rh/γ‐Al₂O₃) during CO exposure are described. Ceria and zirconia are introduced through two preparation methods: 1) ceria is deposited on γ‐Al₂O₃ from [Ce(acac)₃] and rhodium metal is subsequently added, and 2) through the controlled surface modification (CSM) technique, which involves the decomposition of [M(acac)_x] (M=Ce, x=3; M=Zr, x=4) on Rh/γ‐Al₂O₃. The structure–function correlations of ceria and/or zirconia‐doped rhodium catalysts are investigated by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier‐transform spectroscopy/energy‐dispersive extended X‐ray absorption spectroscopy/mass spectrometry (DRIFTS/EDE/MS) under time‐resolved, in situ conditions. CeO_x and ZrO₂ facilitate the protection of Rh particles against extensive oxidation in air and CO. Larger Rh core particles of ceriated and zirconiated Rh catalysts prepared by CSM are observed and compared with Rh/γ‐Al₂O₃ samples, whereas supported Rh particles are easily disrupted by CO forming mononuclear Rh geminal dicarbonyl species. DRIFTS results indicate that, through the interaction of CO with ceriated Rh particles, a significantly larger amount of linear CO species form; this suggests the predominance of a metallic Rh phase.