Elucidation of the structure-dependent catalytic properties of shape-controlled cerium oxide (CeO2) nanocrystals

MANN, AMANDA KAY PETERSON; WU, ZILI; CALAZA, FLORENCIA C.; OVERBURY, STEVEN H.

Indianapolis

Conferencia; 246th ACS National Meeting; 2013

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

Cerium oxide has been shown to be an attractive catalyst for many reactions due to its oxygen storage capability, rich redox chemistry, and relative abundance. However, there remains a need to evaluate the influence of various shape-dependent properties on catalytic performance to provide information that can guide the design of more active and selective catalysts. Here, single-crystalline shape-controlled cerium oxide nanoparticles were generated via a hydrothermal method, including nanowires, nanocubes, and nanooctahedra. Temperature-programmed desorption, steady state measurements, and in situ infrared spectroscopy were used to monitor the adsorption and catalytic reactions of acetaldehyde on cerium oxide nanoshapes. It was found that the variations in morphology and surface chemistry affected the catalytic activity and selectivity. The impact of these structure-function relationships on the design of improved cerium oxide catalysts will be discussed.