PrOx nanoparticles: Active and stable catalysts for soot combustion

PrOx nanoparticles (10 nm; 81 m2/g) were synthesized and analysed as soot combustion catalyst in comparation with other reference materials including CeO2 nanoparticles and PrOx and CeO2 catalysts with three dimensionally ordered (3DOM) and without controlled structure. PrOx nanoparticles reached the highest activity; T50 decreases from 603 degrees C (uncatalysed combustion) to 494 degrees C. This high activity can be attributed to the high surface area/low crystal size, which enhances the soot catalyst contact, and to the improved reducibility. PrOx nanoparticles kept high activity (T50 = 520 degrees C) after aging at 800 degrees C, being significantly more active than aged PrOx catalysts with 3DOM and uncontrolled structure and also significantly more active than all aged CeO2 catalysis which suffer almost total deactivation upon aging. In all cases, PrOx catalysts are more active than CeO2 counterpart materials with the same structure and thermal history, and this applies to nanoparticles, 3DOM and uncontrolled structures.

Automated summary

PrOx nanoparticles exhibit high catalytic activity in soot combustion, attributed to their high surface area, low crystal size, and improved reducibility. After aging, PrOx nanoparticles maintain high activity compared to other aged catalysts, highlighting their superior performance in long-term stability.