Synthesis and Characterization of CexTi1-xO2 Nanostructures

Abstract

The basic function of vehicle three way catalytic converters is to convert the harmful exhaust pollutant gases (CO, NO[subscript x], and unburned hydrocarbons) to less harmful gases, for example, from carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. But this conversion occurs at relative high temperature. The purpose of this study is to synthesize low-temperature catalytically active wash coat oxide nanomaterials for vehicle catalytic converters, via a hydrothermal reaction method. Various characterization techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, temperature programmed reduction, BET surface area measurement, and transmission electron microscopy were used for the analyses of the synthesized nanopowders. We found that the sample with nanotube morphology showed superior low-temperature performance compared to other morphology nanoparticles. The mechanism for this improved low-temperature activity in CeO[subscript 2]-TiO[subscript 2] nanotubes will be discussed.