Template-free one-step synthesis of micro-mesoporous CeO2–ZrO2 mixed oxides with a high surface area for selective hydrogenation

Abstract

Ceria-zirconia oxide materials with a specific surface area ranging from 160 to 240 m2/g and different meso- and micropores ratio were obtained by a simple deposition-precipitation method with urea (DPU), which allows preparation of ceria-zirconia oxides directly in one-step while avoiding the formation of oxo-hydroxo species and further thermal treatment to obtain oxide phases. Moreover, a microwave-assisted DPU method allowed the decrease of the synthesis time from 24 to 3.5 h. The prepared samples were studied by TG-DTA, BET, N2 adsorption, XRD, SEM, and TEM methods. Pt-containing catalysts based on synthesized oxides have shown a high catalytic activity in selective hydrogenation of benzaldehyde, citral, and cinnamaldehyde at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.