Electrospinning SnO2 fibers with 3D interconnected structure for efficient soot catalytic combustion

In this paper, SnO2 fibers with three-dimensional (3D) interconnected structure were successfully obtained by a simple electrospinning technique with both high quality and reproducibility. The microstructure, physicochemical properties were characterized (FT-IR, XRD, SEM, HR-TEM, TG-DSC, N-2-BET, XPS, H-2-TPR, O-2-TPD) extensively. The catalytic activity was tested in temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) of model soot. The influence of the heat-treated temperature on the catalysts physicochemical properties and reactivity was evaluated. The fibers were fluffy and self-supporting after heat-treated which could provide a beneficial environment favored by soot catalytic combustion. SnO(2)fibers exhibited good thermal stability in phase structures and morphologies at least 900 degrees C. The SnF-500 exhibited the highest catalytic activity with T-10,T-50 and T-90 at 410 degrees C, 450 degrees C and 474 degrees C. With the increase in the sintering temperature, the crystallinity of SnO2 fiber increases and the Sn-O-Sn bond strengthens, resulting in a decrease in the catalytic activity of the catalyst as the BET surface area and surface oxygen decrease. Our studies provide insights into SnO2 fibers for soot catalytic. Graphic abstract