Ceria-Terbium-based electrospun nanofiber catalysts for soot oxidation activity and its kinetics

Abstract

BackgroundCeria-based materials have an excellent potential to be catalysts for catalytic three-way converters in the automobile industry. Developing Ceria-based nanofiber catalysts can be a significant approach for further exploring the application of these materials in automobile industries. MethodsIn this study, Ag, Cu, or Co doped Ceria–Terbium nanofibers were synthesized using the electrospinning technique. The obtained nanofiber catalysts were characterized using FE-SEM, XRD, FT-Raman Spectroscopy, and BET-BJH analysis and tested for soot oxidation activity and its kinetics. Significant findingsFE-SEM examination reveals that the obtained nanofibers have a diameter ranging from around 100 to 600 nm. CeTbCo nanofibers exhibited a reduced particle size and enhanced pore formation. The XRD investigation revealed that all the nanofibers displayed a face-centered fluorite structure of CeO2. In Raman spectroscopy analysis, CeTbCo nanofibes showed the emergence of a secondary Co3O4 phase. The CeTbCo nanofiber catalyst showed better SBET (specific surface area) (66 m2/g) and average pore size (12.08 nm) and total pore volume (0.223 cc/g)), better soot oxidation activity (T50 = 347 ℃) than other nanofiber catalysts. The CeTbCo nanofiber catalyst exhibited an activation energy of 132 kJ mol−1 and a pre-exponential factor (ln (A)) of 25.63 min−1.