Synthesis of CeO2–MnOx mixed oxides and catalytic performance under oxygen-rich condition

Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂, Ce_0.5Zr_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ and Ce_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ were prepared by citric acid sol–gel method. The effect of manganese on the structural and redox properties of ceria-based mixed oxides was investigated by means of powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analyses, temperature-programmed reduction and catalytic activity evaluation in the presence of excess O₂. The results showed that some Mn cations could enter into the ceria lattice to form solid solutions. Mn₃O₄ appeared due to the instability of the mixed oxides with increment of the Mn doping ratio while another oxide Mn₂O₃ is detected in the physical mixture of ceria and manganese oxide. These Mn-doped mixed oxides, especially Ce_0.5Mn_0.5O₂, presented better catalytic activities than Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ and even Pt-loaded catalyst for total oxidation of C₃H₈ and oxidative sorption of NO in the presence of excess oxygen. The oxidation ability of Mn and the strong interaction between Mn and Ce were suggested to promote the oxygen storage/transport capacity of the mixed oxides as well as reactive adsorption of nitric oxide and hydrocarbons.