A Rapid Microwave-Induced Solution Combustion Synthesis of Ceria-Based Mixed Oxides for Catalytic Applications

We have been exploring the utilization of a simple and fast microwave-induced solution combustion synthesis technique for the preparation of various ceria-based mixed oxides for different catalytic applications. In our comprehensive investigation, CeO2-SiO2 (MWCS), CeO2-TiO2 (MWCT), CeO2-ZrO2 (MWCZ) and CeO2-Al2O3 (MWCA) mixed oxides were synthesized by solution combustion synthesis method using microwave dielectric heating and employed for CO and soot oxidation applications. The intricate relationship between ceria and other supporting oxides has been explored with the help of various analytical techniques namely, X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction/oxidation (TPR/TPO), temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of ammonia and CO2, Raman spectroscopy (RS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BET surface area and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) methods. XRD results revealed amorphous nature of the material in case of ceria-silica mixed oxide and formation of a specific cubic fluorite type Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 solid solution in the case of ceria-zirconia mixed oxide. Ceria-titania and ceria-alumina mixed oxides exhibited diffraction lines only due to crystalline ceria. Zirconia-based mixed oxide exhibited a lower reduction temperature and better redox properties compared to other samples. TPD of ammonia and CO2 results revealed superior acid-base properties for MWCS mixed oxide. TGA measurements indicated a complete combustion in all preparations. RS results suggested defective structure of mixed oxides resulting in the formation of oxygen vacancies. XPS results revealed that ceria-zirconia mixed oxide contained more Ce3+ compared to other oxides. Among all the mixed oxides, the MWCZ sample exhibited a higher oxygen storage capacity, and better CO and soot oxidation activities. All these interesting findings have been elaborated in this publication.