Catalytic performance of Ag–Co/CeO2 catalyst in NO–CO and NO–CO–O2 system

A new bimetallic catalyst (Ag–Co/CeO₂) was studied for simultaneously catalytic removal of NO and CO in the absence or presence of O₂. CeO₂ prepared by homogeneous precipitation method was optimized as supports for the active components. The addition of Ag on CeO₂ greatly improved the catalytic activities in the lower temperature regions (⩽300 °C), and the introduction of Co on CeO₂ increased the activities at higher temperatures (⩾250 °C). The bimetallic Ag–Co/CeO₂ catalyst combined the advantages of the corresponding individual metal supported catalysts and showed superior activity due to the synergetic effect. The effect of support, temperature, loading amount, GHSV and oxygen on catalysis was investigated. NO and CO could be completely removed in the temperature range of 200–600 °C at a very high space velocity of 120 000 h⁻¹. No deactivation was observed over 4% Ag–0.4% Co/CeO₂ catalyst even after 50 h test.     

Promoting effect of Fe in oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene with CO2 (I) preparation and performance of Ce1 − xFexO2 catalyst

To improve the lattice structure of CeO₂ and the transmission capacity of oxygen, Ce_1 − xFe_xO₂(x ≤ 0.2)solid solutions were prepared by a hydrothermal method and used in oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene with CO₂. Ce_1 − xFe_xO₂ solid solutions were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, N₂-adsorption, H₂ temperature-programmed reduction and H₂–O₂ titration. Results showed that approximately 20% of Fe^3 + could dissolve into the CeO₂ lattice while portions of Fe₂O₃ were highly dispersed on the surface of the Ce_1 − xFe_xO₂ solid solution. The formation of Ce–Fe solid solutions could create more oxygen vacancies to promote the absorption and activation of CO₂, which improves the activity of the catalyst and increased ethylbenzene conversion by as much as 13%.     

Sodium borohydride as the hydrogen supplier for proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems

This paper introduces and discusses the latest research on the use of H₂ generated via the NaBH₄ hydrolysis reaction for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). To realize the NaBH₄–PEMFC system, many hydrolysis catalysts such as Ru/anion-exchange resins, Pt/LiCoO₂, Co powder/Ni foam, PtRu/LiCoO₂ and Ru/carbon have been proposed. Through these efforts, the hydrolysis reaction conversion approached 100%. In addition, the average H₂ generation rate based on most of the reports generally ranged from 0.1 to 2.8 H₂ l min^− 1 g^− 1 (catalyst), which produced a level of PEMFC performance equivalent to 0.1–0.3 kW g^− 1 (catalyst). However, it was also reported that the H₂ generation rate was 28 H₂ l min^− 1 g^− 1 (catalyst) with the catalyst of Pt/carbon (acetylene black).Considering these reports and the advantageous features of NaBH₄ hydrolysis, the NaBH₄–PEMFC system seems to be technologically feasible and would constitute an alternative system of supplying H₂ in fuel cells.However, some challenges remain, such as the deactivation of the catalyst, the treatment of the by-products, and the proper control of the reaction rate. In addition, if the price of NaBH₄ were to be further reduced, this system could become the most powerful competitor in portable application fields of PEMFC.     

Effect of Cu doping on the SCR activity of CeO2 catalyst prepared by citric acid method

CeO₂–CuO catalyst prepared by citric acid method was investigated for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH₃. The activity of the CeO₂ catalyst was enhanced about 8–27% in the temperature range of 125–225 °C at a space velocity of 28,000 h⁻¹ by the addition of Cu. It was found that the state of Cu species had great impact on the SCR performance of CeO₂–CuO catalyst. Cu²⁺ can enhance the low temperature activity of SCR reaction, while CuO would promote NH₃ oxidation before SCR reaction at high temperature, which would cause the decrease of its high temperature SCR activity.     

Preparation,characterization and catalytic activity studies of CeO2–K diesel soot oxidation catalysts loaded on porous Al2O3 substrate using water-immiscible solvent

CeO₂–K catalysts supported on porous alumina substrate have been prepared by using a novel water-immiscible solvent. The advantage of this method is to load the catalyst onto the filter surface by one-time coating and prevent depositing the catalyst into the porous structure of support materials. The catalytic activities of the supported catalysts were evaluated by TPR system and the results showed that the pure CeO₂ displayed a poor catalytic activity for soot oxidation, while the addition of K element into CeO₂ would result in the formation of CeO₂–K solid solution and significant enhancement of catalytic activity. Nevertheless, the variation of K content had a limited effect on soot ignition temperature. The catalyst with a Ce:K molar ratio of 1:2 exhibited an ignition temperature of about 330 °C and the oxidation rates of about 0.16 and 0.28 mg min⁻¹ cm⁻² at temperatures of 370 and 390 °C, respectively.     

Effect of support synthesis methods on structure and performance of VOx/CeO2 catalysts in low-temperature NH3-SCR of NO

CeO₂ supports were prepared by a citrate (C) or a precipitation method (P) before deposition of vanadia by wet impregnation to obtain supported V/CeO₂ catalysts. The V/CeO₂-P catalyst is more active, reaching ≈ 100% NO conversion and N₂ selectivity already below 225 °C at a space velocity of GHSV = 70,000 h^− 1. XRD, UV-vis-DRS, Raman, pseudo-in-situ-XPS and operando-EPR spectroscopy revealed that this is due to higher surface area and a more effective incorporation of V sites into the support surface, which keeps them in their active valence states + 5 and + 4 and prevents reduction to inactive V^3 + as observed on V/CeO₂-C.     

An artificial photosynthesis system based on CeO2 as light harvester and N-doped graphene Cu(II) complex as artificial metalloenzyme for CO2 reduction to methanol fuel

An artificial photosynthesis catalyst composed of CeO₂, N-doped graphene and copper ions (CeO₂–NG–Cu^2 +) was fabricated. The light-harvesting CeO₂–NG was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ was conducted in an aqueous solution of Na₂SO₃. Results indicated that the reduction rate of CO₂ to methanol approached 507.3 μmol · g⁻¹ cat. · h^− 1 for CeO₂–NG–Cu^2 + artificial photosynthesis system in 80 min, whereas the reduction rate was only 5.8 μmol · g⁻¹ cat. · h^− 1 for bare CeO₂–NG without metalloenzyme. Therefore, artificial metalloenzyme played a vital role in reducing CO₂ to methanol fuel.     

Anodic catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells: the catalytic activity of Pt/C,Ru/C and Pt-Ru/C in oxidation of CO by O2

The catalytic activity for oxidation of CO by O₂ was investigated on commercial Pt/C, Pt-Ru/C (Pt/Ru atomic ratio = 20, 3, 1, 1/3) and Ru/C. All samples contained 20 wt.% metal. Assuming equal surface and bulk composition, the number of surface Pt and Ru atoms was calculated from the average size of the supported metal particle as determined by TEM. On Pt-Ru/C alloys, the turnover frequency per Ru atom, N_Ru/molecules s⁻¹ Ru-atom⁻¹, was independent of chemical composition. This finding suggests that the active site in these alloys is Ru. In the temperature range 300–400 K, the turnover frequency per active metal atom was 50–300 times higher on Pt-Ru/C than on Pt/C. The turnover frequency was 400 times higher on Ru/C than on Pt/C at 313 K and 90 times higher at 353 K. Addition of water vapor to the reactant mixture left the catalytic activity of Ru/C unchanged but slightly increased the activity of Pt/C. On both catalysts the activation energy and reaction orders were nearly the same as in dry atmosphere. Conversely, the addition of water markedly decreased the activation energy for Pt-Ru(1 : 1)/C alloy (from 19 to 11 kcal mol⁻¹). These findings suggest that fuel cells equipped with Pt-Ru/C anodes perform better than cells with Pt/C anodes. They do so because Ru effectively oxidizes the carbon monoxide present as an impurity in the H₂-reformed fuel.     

Structural,thermal and mechanical properties of aluminum nitride ceramics with CeO2 as a sintering aid

AlN ceramics have been prepared with CeO₂ as a sintering aid at a sintering temperature of 1900 °C. The effect of CeO₂ contents on the microstructure, density, thermal conductivity and hardness was investigated. Addition of CeO₂ exerted a significant effect on the densification of AlN ceramics and hence on the microstructure. Thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics increased with CeO₂ content and was greater than that of Y₂O₃-doped AlN ceramics at a similar sintering temperature. The resulting AlN ceramics with 1.50 wt% of CeO₂ had the highest relative density of 99.94%, thermal conductivity of 156 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ and hardness of 72.46 kg/mm².     

Synthesis,characterization, and electrical conduction of 10 mol% Dy2O3-doped CeO2 ceramics

Well-densified 10 mol% Dy₂O₃-doped CeO₂ (20DDC) ceramics with average grain sizes of ∼0.12–1.5 μm were fabricated by pressureless sintering at 950–1550 °C using a reactive powder thermally decomposed from a carbonate precursor, which was synthesized via a carbonate coprecipitation method employing nitrates as the starting salts and ammonium carbonate as the precipitant. Electrical conductivity of the ceramics, measured by the dc three-point impedance method, shows a V-shape curve against the average grain size. The sample with the smallest grain size of 0.12 μm exhibits a high conductivity of ∼10^−1.74 S/cm at the measurement temperature of 700 °C, which is about the same conduction level of the micro-grained 10 mol% Sm₂O₃- or Gd₂O₃-doped CeO₂, two leading electrolyte materials.     

Catalytic decomposition of CH2Cl2 over supported Ru catalysts

Ru/TiO₂ and Ru/Al₂O₃ were prepared by wet impregnation of TiO₂ and Al₂O₃, and tested in the catalytic decomposition of dichloromethane (DCM). Ru/TiO₂ catalyst presents the higher activity than Ru/Al₂O₃ catalyst, with 50% and 90% conversion occurring at 235 and 267 °C, respectively. Moreover, the higher stability on Ru/TiO₂ catalyst is observed, which can be related to ready removal of Cl species produced during DCM decomposition. The chlorine uptake on Ru/TiO₂ catalyst is estimated at 240 °C to be 0.36 mmol Cl/g_cat, while on Ru/Al₂O₃, the value is 1.46 mmol Cl/g_cat.     

Methane steam reforming in the absence and presence of H2S over Ce0.8Pr0.2O2 − δ, Ce0.85Sm0.15O2 − δ and Ce0.9Gd0.1O2 − δ SOFCs anode materials

We report here on the activity and stability of low-content praseodymium–, samarium– and gadolinium–cerium oxide catalysts for the steam reforming of methane under water deficient conditions. These materials display different methane reforming activities, and remain free of praseodymium, samarium and gadolinium oxide phases respectively after use in a reaction gas stream composed of 50% CH₄–5% H₂O – (in the absence and presence of 50 or 200 ppm H₂S) – balance He at 740 °C. The results show that Ce_0.8Pr_0.2O_2 − δ, Ce_0.85Sm_0.15O_2 − δ and Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2 − δ are effective catalysts for reforming of methane and H₂S in the feed promotes the catalytic activity. Ce_0.8Pr_0.2O_2 − δ appeared to attain the highest activity for methane reforming, a feature that is associated with the ability of praseodymium to undergo a red–ox (Pr^4 +/Pr^3 +) and spreading action in the cerium oxide host structure, possibly resulting in a red–ox relationship between the components.     

Promotion effect of metal oxides on inverse CeO2/CuO catalysts for preferential oxidation of CO

The MO_x–CeO₂/CuO (M = Co, Mn, Sn and Zn) catalysts were synthesized by the hydrothermal method and characterized by XRD, BET, SEM, H₂-TPR and HRTEM techniques. It is found that the MnO₂–CeO₂/CuO catalyst exhibits the best activity from 75 °C to 115 °C, suggesting that the addition of Mn is the most effective for improving low-temperature activity. The reasons are that MnO₂ improves the dispersion of CeO₂ and the textural property of CeO₂/CuO catalyst. Moreover, the presence of MnO₂ is favorable for preventing the reduction of CuO, and MnO₂ also enhances the interaction between CeO₂ and CuO.     

Sm2O3-doped ZnO beech fern hierarchical structures for nitroaniline chemical sensor

Sm₂O₃-doped ZnO hierarchical composites were prepared via a facile, simple hydrothermal method using Zn(CH₃COO)_2.2H₂O and Sm(NO₃)₃0.6H₂O as precursors. Growth temperature, time, and pH for the reaction were 7 h, 155 °C and 9.5, respectively. Needle-shaped and compound leaf-shaped structures with ovate or triangular-ovate outlines similar to those of Beech Fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera) for hierarchical composites were formed. Further, the synthesized Sm₂O₃-doped ZnO hierarchical composites were used as efficient electron mediators for the preparation of highly sensitive, fast and reliable nitroaniline electrochemical sensors. A sensitivity of 1.71 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² with a very low experimental detection limit of 15.6 μM was reported for Sm₂O₃-doped ZnO hierarchical composites modified Ag electrode. Thus, as synthesized Sm₂O₃-doped ZnO hierarchical composites are potential and efficient electron mediators for the fabrication of sensitive, reliable and reproducible chemical sensors.     

CO2 reforming of methane over Ni/Sm2O3–CaO catalyst prepared by a sol–gel technique

A sol–gel method was employed to prepare Ni/CaO, Ni/Sm₂O₃ and a series of Ni/Sm₂O₃–CaO catalysts dispersed uniformly. The catalytic performance in CO₂/CH₄ reforming and the physicochemical properties were investigated by means of GC, BET, XRD, TG/DTA and HRTEM techniques, respectively. Under the condition of an atmospheric pressure at 700 °C and a GHSV of 4.8 × 10⁴ ml/h/g_cat, the conversion of CH₄ and CO₂ over 10% Ni/Sm₂O₃–CaO (1:4) catalyst were 60% and 63%, respectively, the selectivity of H₂ and CO were 85% and 95%, significantly higher than those over Ni/CaO and Ni/Sm₂O₃ due to high dispersion of Ni nanometer particles and interfacial effect of support in 10% Ni/Sm₂O₃–CaO.     

Preparation and characterization of CeO2–TiO2 support for Ru catalysts: Application in CWAO of p-hydroxybenzoic acid

The catalytic wet air oxidation of aqueous solutions of p-hydroxybenzoic acid has been carried out over CeO₂–TiO₂ supported ruthenium catalysts (Ru/Ce–Ti) at 140 °C and 50 bar of air. High activity of ruthenium supported catalysts was observed. It was found that the decrease of the molar ratio Ce/Ti from 3 to 1/3, improves the activity of Ru catalysts. The activity of the samples decreases in the following order: Ru/Ce–Ti (1/3) > Ru/CeO₂ ≈ Ru/TiO₂ > Ru/TiO₂DT51. Characterization of samples was performed by means of N₂ adsorption–desorption, XRD, UV–visible, TPR, SEM and TEM.     

Pt-CeO2/C anode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells

In order to develop a cheaper and durable catalyst for methanol electrooxidation reaction, ceria (CeO₂) as a co-catalytic material with Pt on carbon was investigated with an aim of replacing Ru in PtRu/C which is considered as prominent anode catalyst till date. A series of Pt-CeO₂/C catalysts with various compositions of ceria, viz. 40 wt% Pt-3–12 wt% CeO₂/C and PtRu/C were synthesized by wet impregnation method. Electrocatalytic activities of these catalysts for methanol oxidation were examined by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques and it is found that 40 wt% Pt-9 wt% CeO₂/C catalyst exhibited a better activity and stability than did the unmodified Pt/C catalyst. Hence, we explore the possibility of employing Pt-CeO₂ as an electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation. The physicochemical characterizations of the catalysts were carried out by using Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area and pore size distribution (PSD) measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. A tentative mechanism is proposed for a possible role of ceria as a co-catalyst in Pt/C system for methanol electrooxidation.     

Honeycomb supported Co3O4/CeO2 catalyst for CO/CH4 emissions abatement: Effect of low Pd–Pt content on the catalytic activity

A structured Co₃O₄–CeO₂ composite oxide, containing 30% by weight of Co₃O_4, has been prepared over a cordieritic honeycomb support. The bimetallic, Pd–Pt catalyst has been obtained by impregnation of the supported Co₃O₄–CeO₂ with Pd and Pt precursors in order to obtain a total metal loading of 50 g/ft³.CO, CH₄ combined oxidation tests were performed over the catalyzed monoliths in realistic conditions, namely GHSV = 100,000 h⁻¹ and reaction feed close to emission from bi-fuel vehicles. The Pd–Pt un-promoted Co₃O₄–CeO₂ is promising for cold-start application, showing massive CO conversion below 100 °C, in lean condition.A strong enhancement of the CH₄ oxidation activity, between 400 and 600 °C, has been observed by addition to the Co₃O₄–CeO₂ of a low amount of Pd–Pt metals.     

An effective and stable Ni2P/TiO2 catalyst for the hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate to methyl glycolate

An effective and stable bifunctional Ni₂P/TiO₂ catalyst was proposed for gas-phase hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate to corresponding alcohols. A 93.0% conversion of DMO with a selectivity of 88.0% to methyl glycolate was observed under 210 °C. Moreover, the catalyst showed an excellent stability which can be performed for 3600 h under the reaction conditions of 230 °C, 3 MPa H₂ and the weight space velocity of 0.1 h^− 1.     

A Ce–Sn–Ox catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3

A series of Ce–Sn–O_x catalysts prepared by the facile coprecipitation method exhibited good catalytic activity in a broad temperature range from 100 °C to 400 °C for the selective catalytic reduction of NO_x with NH₃ at the space velocity of 20,000 h^− 1. The Ce₄Sn₄O_x catalyst calcined at 400 °C showed high resistance to H₂O, SO₂, K₂O and PbO under our test conditions. The better catalytic performance was associated with the synergistic effect between CeO₂ and SnO₂, which strengthened the NH₃ and NO_x adsorption capacity on the surface of the catalyst.