Morphology-controlled synthesis of cage-bell Pd@CeO2 structured nanoparticle aggregates as catalysts for the low-temperature oxidation of CO

Abstract

A facile generic strategy of combining template assisted and solvothermal alcoholysis is employed to prepare cage-bell Pd@CeO₂ nanoparticle aggregates as catalysts for the low-temperature oxidation of CO. The synthetic parameters are regulated to control the size of the as-prepared CeO₂ mesospheres. The activities of Pd@CeO₂ catalysts are higher than that of Pd supported on Al₂O₃, and the activity of 1 wt% Pd@CeO₂ can be further improved and its T₉₀ is 2 °C. The intrinsic cage-bell nature as well as high porosity of the unique nanostructures of the CeO₂ support contributes greatly to the formation of large numbers of surface oxygen vacancies on Pd@CeO₂ catalysts, and thus it exhibits superior catalytic activity. This method is simple, low cost, mass-productive, and can also be used to prepare other advanced functional materials.