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Constructing Efficient CuO-Based CO Oxidation Catalysts with Large Specific Surface Area Mesoporous CeO2 Nanosphere
Yixin Zhang1, Fen Zhao1, Hui Yang1
1Collaborative Innovation Centre of the Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change (ILCEC), Nanjing 210044, China.
Novel mesoporous ceria (CeO2) nanospheres with high surface area were synthesized for copper oxide (CuO)-based carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation catalysts. These enhanced catalysts show improved performance due to better CuO dispersion and stability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cerium dioxide (CeO2) is a key component in copper oxide (CuO)-based catalysts for carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation, valued for its redox and oxygen storage capabilities.
- The catalytic efficiency of CeO2-supported catalysts is often limited by the support's small specific surface area.
- Enhancing the surface area of CeO2 is crucial for improving catalyst performance in CO oxidation reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize novel mesoporous CeO2 nanospheres with a significantly large specific surface area.
- To develop advanced CuO/CeO2 catalysts utilizing these mesoporous nanospheres as supports for enhanced CO oxidation.
- To investigate the structure-activity relationships influencing the catalytic performance of these novel materials.
Main Methods:
- Facile synthesis of mesoporous CeO2 nanospheres via an improved hydrothermal method.
- Preparation of CuO/CeO2 catalysts by varying CuO loading on the mesoporous CeO2 support.
- Systematic investigation of catalyst properties including specific surface area, thermal stability, CuO dispersion, and redox properties.
- Evaluation of CO oxidation performance under various conditions.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of mesoporous CeO2 nanospheres with a large specific surface area (~190.4 m2/g).
- Demonstrated excellent thermal stability of the mesoporous CeO2 support up to 500 °C.
- Achieved significantly enhanced CO oxidation performance attributed to high CuO dispersion and increased Cu+ concentration and lattice oxygen content.
- Identified mesoporous structure, high Cu+ concentration, and lattice oxygen as critical factors for superior catalytic activity.
Conclusions:
- Mesoporous CeO2 nanospheres represent a promising support material for advanced CO oxidation catalysts due to their large surface area and thermal stability.
- The enhanced catalytic activity is linked to improved CuO dispersion and favorable redox properties of the CuO/CeO2 system.
- This approach offers a viable strategy for designing high-performance catalysts for CO oxidation and other industrial applications.
