Core-Sheath Pt-CeO₂/Mesoporous SiO₂ Electrospun Nanofibers as Catalysts for the Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing efficient catalysts is crucial for chemical reactions like the reverse water gas shift (RWGS).
• Nanofiber structures offer high surface area and unique catalytic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize one-dimensional (1D) core-sheath nanofibers for RWGS catalysis.
• To investigate the effect of different platinum (Pt) deposition methods on catalyst performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Pt-loaded ceria (CeO2) sheath on mesoporous silica (SiO2) core nanofibers via electrospinning, wet impregnation, solvothermal methods, and sol-gel process.
• Characterization using SEM, STEM, XRD, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, XPS, ICP-OES, and CO2-TPD.
• Evaluation of catalytic performance in the RWGS reaction.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of core-sheath nanofibers with controlled dimensions and ~0.5 wt.% Pt loading.
• The catalyst prepared by wet impregnation (Pt-CeO2 NF@mesoporous SiO2) exhibited superior catalytic activity.
• Achieved 8.9% CO2 conversion at 350 °C with >99% CO selectivity.

Conclusions:

• Core-sheath nanofibers are effective catalysts for the RWGS reaction.
• The wet impregnation method is preferred for Pt loading to enhance catalytic performance.
• These materials demonstrate high potential for CO2 utilization applications.