Guangfeng Li

The effect of Nd on the properties of ceria–zirconia solid solution and the catalytic performance of its supported Pd-only three-way catalyst for gasoline engine exhaust reduction

A series of ceria-zirconia-neodymia mixed oxides with different contents of neodymia and the supported Pd-only three-way catalysts before and after aging have been prepared and characterized. The influence of Nd doping on the structural/textural properties of ceria-zirconia (CZ) and the effect on the three-way catalytic performance are also investigated. The results demonstrate that the addition of neodymia results in the formation of ceria-zirconia-neodymia ternary solid solution (CZN) with better textural and structural properties as well as improved reducibility and redox behavior, leading to the promoted three-way catalytic activity and enlarged air/fuel operation window. The modified solid solution with 5 wt.% neodymia shows the preferable textural/structural properties considering that the capacity of foreign cation is limited in the crystal lattice of ceria-zirconia solid solution, and Pd/CZN5 shows the optimum three-way catalytic performance and wider air/fuel operation window, especially for the corresponding aged one.

Application of Rare Earth Modified Zr-based Ceria-Zirconia Solid Solution in Three-Way Catalyst for Automotive Emission Control

Automotive exhaust emission is a major cause of air pollution. Three-way catalyst (TWC) which can eliminate CO, HC (hydrocarbons), and NO(x) simultaneously has been used to control exhaust emissions. Ceria-zirconia is a key component in TWC and most researchers pay attention to Ceria-Zirconia (Ce-rich) solid solution. The research presented in this paper is focused on the intrinsic structure of Ceria-Zirconia (Zr-based) solid solution and its application in TWC. A series of Ce(0.2)Zr(0.8)O(2) modified with rare earths (La, Nd, Pr, Sm, and Y) have been prepared by coprecipitation method combined with supercritical drying technique. All samples showed single tetragonal solid solution, indicating that the rare earth ion inserted into the lattice structure completely, and an approximately linearly relationship between lattice parameter a and the ionic radius of doped rare earth was observed. The catalytic performances of corresponding Pd-only catalysts were investigated in simulated exhaust gas. The presence of La, Nd, and Pr was favorable to the catalytic activity and wide air/fuel operation window. The relationship between the intrinsic structure of the Zr-based ceria-zirconia solid solution and catalytic activity was discussed in detail, which has some reference value for catalyst design and application.

Effect of iron doping into CeO2-ZrO2 on the properties and catalytic behaviour of Pd-only three-way catalyst for automotive emission control

Ce(0.67)Zr(0.33)O(2) doped with iron oxide was prepared and the corresponding Pd-only three-way catalysts were examined and characterized. Pd/CZFe(1%) catalyst exhibits the best catalytic performance for CO, HC, NO and NO(2) elimination and the widest operation window. The doping of iron oxide with 1% loading suggests the formation of more homogeneous Ce-Zr-Fe-O ternary solid solution, which seems to facilitate the reduction of Ce(4+)→Ce(3+) or the formation of oxygen vacancy and to promote the interaction between Ce-Zr and Fe. Moreover, the Ce redox behaviour for surface reduction suggests depending not only on the formation of homogeneous Ce-Zr-Fe-O but also on the surface property of the sample. The increase in the concentration of oxygen vacancies under all atmospheres for CZFe(1%) sample also results in the enhancement of oxygen storage complete capacity.