Evaluation of Pr2Zr2−xCexO7±δ pyrochlores as a potential Cu support catalysts for CO oxidation in simulated GDI conditions

Abstract

This study evaluates the catalytic activity, both as bulk catalysts and as supports for copper catalysts for CO oxidation in a simulated Gasoline Direct Injection Engine (GDI) of two pyrochlores: Pr2Zr2O7 (PZ) and Pr2Zr1.9Ce0.1O7±δ (PZC). These pyrochlores were synthesized by the solvothermal method. XRD, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, XPS, H2-TPR, and O2-TPD characterization techniques were employed to determine the structural, microstructural, and redox properties of the samples. All materials exhibited high catalytic activity for CO oxidation, with Cu-PZC showing the best performance, which is comparable to that of a 1% Pt/Al2O3 commercial catalyst used as a reference. Thus, the synthesized solids could be a promising and cost-effective alternative to noble metal-based catalysts used to control GDI exhaust gas composition.