Simple synthesis of layered CeO2-graphene hybrid and their superior catalytic performance in dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene

In this work, we reported a facile synthesis of layered CeO2 nanomaterials on reduced graphene via using acrylamide (AM) as complex precipitant. The characterized results indicated that the CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with about 4-6 nm are dispersed uniformly on the surface of graphene and still keep same NPs size and similar layered morphology after calcination at 550 degrees C in the atmosphere of argon. The superior catalytic performance of the prepared CeO2-RGO-5 in dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene (EB) can be attributed to its high specific surface area offered by the unique two-dimensional layered structure and their steadily dispersed NPs obtained by adding of enough AM. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.