Ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of ceria nanorods and their catalytic properties for toluene oxidation

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering 2017-10, Vol.5 (5), p.5054-5060
• Main Authors: Liao, Yinnian, He, Lifang, Zhao, Mengqi, Ye, Daiqi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalytic activity; Ceria nanorod; Hydrothermal; In-situ FTIR; Ultrasonic
• ISSN: 2213-3437; 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2017.09.037

•NO3− ions were regarded to act as the inhibitors to form the rods.•Nanorods could be only shaped with the high concentration of alkali solution.•Ultrasonication was proved to be an efficient means to raise the yield of nanorods.•The property of rod-shaped ceria was obviously better than the particle-shaped one.•Catalytic pathway for VOCs oxidation over the rods was explored by in-situ technique. Ceria nanorods with relatively high yield were successfully prepared by a convenient hydrothermal reaction method followed by ultrasonication without any templates or surfactants. The cerium precursor, concentration of NaOH solution, and the employment of ultrasonic have been demonstrated to be the crucial factors for the formation of CeO2 nanorods. NO3− ions, excluding Cl−, SO42−, and CH3COO−, were designated to act as the inhibitors in the morphogenetic process forming the rods. Nanorods could only be shaped using relatively high concentrations of alkali solution. Ultrasonication proved to be an effective means of improving the yield of ceria nanorods. Among the different content of nanorods, the catalytic activity of high content of nanorods was obviously the best. Thus, properties of CeO2 could be improved by modifying the morphology. Furthermore, the catalytic pathway for toluene oxidation over the ceria nanorods has been explored by in-situ FTIR.