Structural studies of mesoporous ZrO2-CeO2 and ZrO2-CeO2/SiO2 mixed oxides for catalytical applications

Abstract

In this work the synthesis of ZrO2-CeO2 and ZrO2-CeO2/SiO2 were developed, based on the process to form ordered mesoporous materials such as SBA-15 silica. The triblock copolymer Pluronic P-123 was used as template, aiming to obtain crystalline single phase walls and larger specific surface area, for future applications in catalysis. SAXS and XRD results showed a relationship between ordered pores and the material crystallization. 90% of CeO2 leaded to single phase homogeneous ceria-zirconia solid solution of cubic fluorite structure (Fm3m). The SiO2 addition improved structural and textural properties as well as the reduction behavior at lower temperatures, investigated by XANES measurements under H2 atmosphere.