Preparation of nanometric CeO2–ZrO2–Nd2O3 solid solution and its catalytic performances

A kind of nanometric CeO₂–ZrO₂–Nd₂O₃ (CZN) solid solution for a carrier in the automotive three-way catalysts was synthesized by a coprecipitation method and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), nitrogen adsorption–desorption (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and oxygen storage capacity (OSC). For the purpose of comparison, an unincorporated CeO₂–ZrO₂ (CZ) was also synthesized. The XRD measurements disclose the prepared CeO₂–ZrO₂–Nd₂O₃ have a face-centered cubic fluorite structure and nanoparticle sizes. According to the results of XPS, Nd³⁺ ions can enter the CZ lattice and form a homogenous solid solution. Oxygen storage capacity measurements reveal that CeO₂–ZrO₂–Nd₂O₃ display high oxygen mobility at a low temperature. The results of the activity tests show that the catalyst exhibits good three-way catalytic activity and fairly wide range of air-to-fuel ratios.