Synthesis of CeO2-based core/shell nanoparticles with high oxygen storage capacity

Ceria plays a key role in various applications including sensing and catalysis owing to its high oxygen storage capacity (OSC). The aim of this work is to prepare novel MOx/CeO2 (M: Zr, Ti, Cu) metal oxide systems with core/shell structures using a facile two-step chemical precipitation method. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 adsorption methods. The OSC property of the samples was evaluated using TGA analysis conducted at 600 °C under reductive (5% H2/Ar) and oxidative (synthetic air) environments. The OSCs of the samples were found to be 130, 253, and 2098 µmol-O2/g for ZrO2/CeO2, TiO2/CeO2, and CuO/ CeO2, respectively. Effects of heat treatment on the physical and redox properties of the samples were also evaluated. In this regard, the samples were exposed to 500 °C for 5 h under ambient environment. It was observed that the heat treatment induced the formation of mixed metal oxide alloys and the BET surface area of the samples diminished significantly. The OSC of the samples, however, did not experience any significant chance, which was attributed to the compensation of the loss in the surface area by the alloy formation after the heat treatment.