Ultrasound-Assisted Deposition of Co-CeO2 onto Ceramic Microfibers to Conform Catalytic Papers: Their Application in Engine Exhaust Treatment

The combination of the selective catalytic reduction technology with catalytic filters constitutes one of the most efficient ways for diesel engine exhaust treatment. In this paper, the development of catalytic ceramic papers as structured systems for the abatement of diesel soot particles is addressed. Ceramic papers were prepared by the dual-polyelectrolyte papermaking method, which is based on the conventional papermaking technique used for cellulosic papers, in which a portion of cellulosic fibers is replaced by ceramic ones. The deposition of Co and Ce as catalytic materials by the wet spray method on ceramic papers was studied for the development of structured catalysts using an ultrasonic nebulizer and different solvents. The use of alcohol-water solutions for the impregnation of cobalt generated smaller particles and a high dispersion of them on the ceramic fibers, greater than that obtained when pure water was employed. Temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) assays showed that the best catalytic performance was acquired with the catalysts generated with alcohol solvents, showing a maximum rate for soot combustion at a temperature close to 400 degrees C. The adequate soot combustion performance and the high thermal and catalytic stability make catalytic ceramic papers impregnated by the wet spray method, promising systems for their application as diesel particulate filters.