Ag-loaded cerium-zirconium solid solution oxide nano-fibrous webs and their catalytic activity for soot and CO oxidation

The catalytic combustion of soot and CO is one of the key technologies required to meet rigorous emission standards. Recently, solid solution materials have been employed in heterogeneous catalysts because of their remarkable intrinsic activities and good stabilities. However, the low number of contact points between soot particles and the catalyst remains a challenge to enhancing catalytic performance. Thus, we herein report the preparation of Ce-ZrO₂ solid solution nano-fibrous web catalysts with a hierarchical structure using an electrospinning method, where Ag particles were loaded onto the surface of the Ce-ZrO₂ webs. X-ray diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopic studies allowed us to investigate the morphological and crystal structures of the prepared Ce-ZrO₂ and Ag/Ce-ZrO₂ web catalysts. Moreover, the relationship between the Ce/Zr ratio and activated oxygen is discussed based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results. Following the catalytic oxidation of soot and CO using our novel materials, we found that the Ce_0.67Zr_0.33O₂ web exhibited higher catalytic activities than the Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ and Ce_0.33Zr_0.67O₂ webs, respectively. In addition, Ag/Ce_0.67Zr_0.33O₂ exhibited enhanced catalytic activity compared with the pristine Ce_0.67Zr_0.33O₂ for the oxidation of both soot (e.g., 500 °C vs. 544 °C at 50% conversion) and CO (e.g., 282 °C vs. 408 °C at 50% conversion). It therefore appeared that our proposed Ce-ZrO₂ solid solution nano-fibrous web catalysts bearing Ag particles exhibited superior redox properties and enhanced surface areas, and as such, are promising candidates for use in the oxidation of both soot and CO.