Ceria based materials have attracted a great deal of interest particularly in area of UV shielding, oxide ion conductivity, solid state electrolyte for fuel cells, automotive exhaust catalysis, water gas shift (WGS) reaction catalysis and also in thermo-chemical water splitting cycles to generate hydrogen. Therefore great deal of efforts was devoted to synthesize nanocrystalline ceria and related materials with different shape and sizes. For example, hierarchically mesostructured doped CeO2 showed potential photvoltic response for solar cell applications. Substitution of lower valent metal ions (Ca2+, Gd3+, Tb3+, Sm3+) in CeO2 enhances oxide ion conductivity for solid oxide fuel cell applications. Eventhough ZrO2 is a nonreducible oxide, CeO2-ZrO2 solid solution has attracted a lot of attention in exhaust catalysis because it exhibited high oxygen storage capacity (OSC). Noble metal ion (M = Pt4+/2+, Au3+, Rh3+, Pd2+ and Ag+) substituted CeO2 (Ce1-xMxO2-δ and Ti1-xMxO2-δ, x = 0.01-0.03) prepared by solution combustion method have shown much higher three-way catalytic property compared same amount of noble metal impregnated to CeO2. Ionically substituted Pt and Au in CeO2 also showed high WGS activity. CeO2-MOx (M= Mn, Fe, Cu, Ni) mixed oxides have shown high activity for hydrogen generation by thermal splitting of water. In chapter 1, we have discussed recent developments on various synthesis strategies of ceria based materials for specific catalytic application. In this thesis, we have explored new route to synthesize Ce1-xMxO2-δ and Ti1-xMxO2-δ (M = transition metal, noble metal) nanocrystallites. Specifically we have addressed the effect of reducible metal ion substitution on the OSC of CeO2 for auto exhaust treatment, hydrogen generation and electro-chemical applications. Controlled synthesis of CeO2 and Ce1-xMxO2-δ (M = Zr, Ti, Y, Pr and Fe) nanocrystallites by hydrothermal method is presented in Chapter 2. The method is based on complexation of metal ion by diethylenetriamine (DETA) or melamine and the simultaneous hydrolysis of metal ion complexes in hydrothermal condition. Size of the crystallites can be controlled by varying the time and temperature of the reaction. 15% Fe3+ ion substituted CeO2 (Ce0.85Fe0.15O2-δ) nanocrystallites have shown higher oxygen storage capacity than Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 at lower temperature. A brief description of material characterization techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement of structure, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is presented. The home-built hydrogen uptake measurement system for OSC study and temperature programmed catalytic reaction system with a quadrupole mass spectrometer and an on-line gas-chromatograph for gas analysis is also described in this chapter. In chapter 3, hydrothermal synthesis of Ce1-xCrxO2+δ (0≤x≤1/3) nanocrystallites is presented. Up to 33% Cr ion substitution in CeO2 could be achieved only by the complexation of Ce(NH4)2(NO3)6 and CrO3 with DETA and simultaneous hydrolysis of the complexes in hydrothermal condition at 200 oC. Powder XRD, XPS and TEM studies confirm that the compound crystallizes in cubic fluorite structure where Ce exist in +4 oxidation state and Cr exist in 4+ and +6 (mixed valance) oxidation states in the ratio of 2: 1. Composition x = 0.33 (Ce2/3Cr1/3O2+δ) showed higher OSC (0.33 mol of [O]) than the maximum OSC observed for CeO2-ZrO2 solid solutions. Formation and higher OSC of Ce2/3Cr1/3O2+δ is attributed to interaction of Ce4+/3+ and Cr3+/4+/6+ redox couples in fluorite structure. The material shows oxygen evolution at ~400 oC in air and hence it is a true oxygen storage material. Oxygen evolution property of Ce0.67Cr0.33O2.11 and subsequent generation of hydrogen by thermal splitting of water is presented in chapter 4. Among the ceria based oxides, Ce0.67Cr0.33O2.11 being the only compound like UO2+δ to have excess oxygen possessing fluorite structure, it releases a large proportion of its lattice oxygen (0.167 M [O]/mole of compound) by heating the material under N2 flow at relatively low temperature (465 oC) directly and almost stoichiometric amount of H2 (0.152 M/Mol of compound) is generated at much lower temperature (65 oC) by thermosplitting of water. The reversible nature of oxygen release and intake of this material is attributed to its fluorite structure and internal coupling between the Ce4+/Ce3+ and Cr4+/6+/Cr3+ redox couples. In chapter 5, we present the hydrothermal synthesis and three-way catalytic activity of Ce1-xRuxO2-δ (0≤x≤0.1) nanocrystallites. Powder XRD, Rietveld refinement, TEM and XPS reveals that the compounds crystallized in fluorite structure where Ru exist in +4 state and Ce in mixed valent (+3, +4) state. Substitution of Ru4+ ion in CeO2 activated the lattice oxygen and Ce0.9Ru0.1O2-δ can reversibly releases 0.42[O]/mol of compound, which is higher than maximum OSC of 0.22 [O]/mol of compound observed for Ce0.50Zr0.50O2. Utilization of higher OSC of Ce1-xRuxO2-δ (x = 0.05 and 0.10) is also shown by low temperature CO oxidation with these catalysts, both in presence/absence of feed oxygen. Ru4+ ion act as active centre for reducing molecules (CO, hydrocarbon ‘HC’) and oxide ion vacancy acts as an active centre for O2 and NOx in this compound. Ce1-xRuxO2-δ not only act as a high oxygen storage material but it also shows high activity towards CO, hydrocarbon ‘HC’ oxidation and NO reduction by CO at low temperature with high N2 selectivity for 3-way catalysis. Study of water gas shift reaction over Ce0.95Ru0.05O2-δ catalyst is presented in chapter 6. The catalyst showed very high WGS activity in terms of high conversion rate (20.5 μmol.g-1.s-1 at 275 oC) and low activation energy (~50.6 kcal/mol). The reason for this seems to be high adsorption propensity of CO on Ru4+ ion and easy extraction of oxygen from lattice to form CO2. This step creates oxide ion vacancy in the catalyst lattice and H2O can adsorb on lattice sites oxygen vacancy and regenerate the lattice by releasing H2. Even in presence of externally fed CO2 and H2, complete conversion of CO to CO2 was observed with 100 % H2 selectivity with Ce0.95Ru0.05O2-δcatalyst in the temperature range of 305-385 oC and no trace of methane formation was observed in this temperature range. Catalyst does not deactivate in long duration on/off WGS reaction cycle because sintering of noble metal or active sites is avoided in this catalyst as Ru4+ ion is substituted in CeO2 lattice. Due to highly acidic nature of Ru4+ ion, surface carbonated formation is prohibited. In chapter 7, synthesis of Ce1-xFexO2-δ (0≤x≤0.45) and Ce0.65Fe0.33Pd0.02O2-δnanocrystallites is presented by sonochemical method. Powder XRD, XPS and TEM studies confirm that the compounds of ~4 nm sizes is crystallized in fluorite structure where Fe is in +3, Ce is in +4 and Pd is in +2 oxidation state. Due to substitution of smaller Fe3+ ion in CeO2, lattice oxygen is activated and Ce0.67Fe0.33O1.835 reversibly releases 0.31[O] up to 600 oC which is higher or comparable to the maximum OSC observed for CeO2-ZrO2 based solid solutions. Due to internal interaction of Pd2+/0(0.89 V), Fe3+/2+ (0.77 V) with Ce4+/3+ (1.61 V) redox couples, Pd ion accelerates the electron transfer from Fe2+ to Ce4+ in Ce0.65Fe0.33Pd0.02O1.815, making it a high oxygen storage material as well as highly active catalyst for CO oxidation and WGS reaction. Activation energy for CO oxidation with O2 over Ce0.65Fe0.33Pd0.02O1.815 is found as low as 38 kJ/mol. CO conversion to CO2 is 100% H2 specific in WGS reaction with these catalysts. Conversion rate was found as high 27.2 μmol.g-1.s-1 and activation energy was found 46.4 kJ/mol for Ce0.65Fe0.33Pd0.02O1.815. Only 1-3% Pt, Pd ion can be substituted in CeO2 is by the solution combustion method. We show that even up to 10% of Pt and Pd ion can be substituted in CeO2 by sonication method. In chapter 8, we present the sonochemical synthesis redox property and methanol electro-oxidation activity of hierarchical Ce1-xMxO2-δ (M = Pt and Pd, 0≤x≤0.1) nanocrystallites. Powder XRD, TEM, SEM and XPS study confirms that hierarchical structure compound crystallize in fluorite structure. Pt exists in +4 state and Ce in mixed valent (+3, +4) state in Ce1-xPtxO2-δ and Pd exist in +2 state and Ce in mixed valent (+3, +4) state in Ce1-xPdxO2-δ. Substitution of Pt and Pd ion in CeO2 activated the lattice oxygen. Hydrogen absorption study show higher H/Pt ratio ~8.1 and H/Pd ratio ~4.2 in respective oxides. Reversible nature of higher oxygen storage capacity or higher H/P, H/Pd ratio is due to interaction of redox couples of Pt4+/2+(0.91V), Pt2+/0(1.18V), Pd2+/0(0.92V) and Ce4+/3+(1.61V). Due to participation of lattice oxygen, Ce0.95Pt0.05O1.95 and Ce0.95Pd0.05O1.90 have shown higher electro-oxidation of methanol compared to same moles of Pt in 5%Pt/C. In chapter 9, we present sonochemical synthesis of Ti1-xPtxO2 (0≤x≤0.1) nanocrystallites: a new high capacity anode material for rechargeable Li ion battery. Continuing our interest in synthesis of nanomaterials, we thought if we can extend the same sonochemical method to synthesize metal ion doped TiO2. Doping of TiO2 with a suitable metal ion where dopant redox potential couples with that of titanium (Ti4+) and act as catalyst for additional reduction of Ti4+ to Ti2+ (Ti4+ →Ti3+→Ti2+) is envisaged here to enhance lithium storage even higher than one Li/TiO2. 10 atom % Pt ion substituted TiO2, Ti0.9Pt0.1O2 nanocrystallites of ~4 nm size was synthesized by sonochemical method using diethylenetriamine (DETA) as complexing agent. Powder XRD, Rietveld refinement, TEM and XPS studies reveal that Ti0.9Pt0.1O2 nanocrystallites crystallize in anatase structure and both Ti and Pt are in 4+ oxidation state. Due to Pt4+ ion substitution in TiO2, reducibility of TiO2 was enhanced and Ti4+ was reduced up to Ti2+ state via coupling of Pt states (Pt4+/Pt2+/Pt0) with Ti states (Ti4+/Ti3+/Ti2+). Galvanostatic cycling of Ti0.9Pt0.1O2 against lithium showed very high capacity of 430 mAhg-1 or exchange of ~1.5Li/Ti0.9Pt0.1O2 which is much higher than the highest capacity of 305 mAhg-1 or insertion of ~0.9Li/TiO2 achieved for TiO2(B) nanowires. In chapter 10, we present the conclusions and critical review on the study of transition metal and noble metal ion substituted CeO2 and TiO2.

V poslední době je snahou nahradit klasickou komerční olovnatou piezoelektrickou keramiku bezolovnatou, z důvodu zvýšeného zájmu o ochranu životního prostředí a zdraví. Různé typy materiálů již byly navrženy, jako například (K, Na) NbO3 (KNN), (Bi, Na) TiO3 (BNT), (Bi, Na) TiO3 – BaTiO3 (BNT-BT), ale jejich piezoelektrické vlastnosti zatím nedosáhly takových hodnot jako u olovnatý chkeramik (např. olovnatý titanát olova ((Pb Zr)TiO3). Nejvíce se olovnatým materiálů blíží bezolovnatý systém na bázi (1-x)Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 nebo (Ba, Ca) (Zr, Ti) O3 ((1-x)BZT-xBCT, BCZT) a to díky vysokým piezoelektrickým a dielektrickým parametrům. Nevýhodou tohoto prostředku je jeho velmi vysoká teplota slinování (1520 ° C) za účelem dosažení vysokých piezoelektrických vlastností (např. Piezoelektrické konstanty d33 > 600 pC / N). Tato práce se zabývá bezolovnatou keramikou na bázi BCZT, její výrobou a vylepšením piezoelektrických vlastností dopováním CeO2. Přidáním CeO2 (y wt.%) do (Ba0.85Ca0.15) (Zr0.1Ti0.9) O3 se výrazně snížila slinovací teplota a došlo ke zhutnění při 1350°C. U této kompozice se Curieova teplota pohybovala kolem TC~105°C a velikost zrn byla v rozmezí ~ 10-13 m. Fázový přechod z romboedrické struktury na tetragonální (R-T) byl zjištěn pomocí rentgenové spektroskopie u y = 0 - 0.1 wt.%, což koreluje s výsledky Ramanovy spektrální analýzy. Mikrostrukturní a strukturní charakteristiky byly detailně studovány v korelaci s dielektrickými, feroelektrickými a piezoelektrickými vlastnostmi. Nejlepší funkční vlastnosti byly dosaženy pro keramiku BCZT – 0.07 wt.% CeO2. Tato keramika vykazovala piezoelektrický nábojový koeficient d33 = 507±20pC/N, elektromechanický planární koeficient kp = 51.8 %, dielektrickou konstantu r = 4091±100, ztrátový činitel tan = 0.02, remanentní polarizaci Pr = 13.58C/cm2, intenzitu koercitivního pole EC = 2.13kV/cm při normovaném napětí, d33* nebo Smax/Emax = 840pm/V. Dvoustupňovou kalcinační technikou bylo docíleno homogenního růstu zrn s vysokou relativní hustotou (~ 99% teoretické hustoty). Tato kompozice BCZT- CeO2 vykazovala stálé feroelektrické, dielektrické a piezoelektrické vlastností i při velikosti zrn 10 µm. Bezolovnatá piezoelektrická keramika (Ba0.85Ca0.15-y Cey) (Zr0.1Ti0.9) O3 (BCCeZT) byla dále dopována CeO2 s cílem substituce Ce4+ v místě A krystalické mřížky. Posunutí rentgenových vrcholů k vyšším úhlům naznačuje kontrakce mřížky, což by mohlo způsobit obsazení iontů ceru v místech A této soustavy. Bylo zjištěno, že velikost zrn kolem 10 - 12 m je významná pro vysokou piezoaktivitu bezolovnaté BCCeZT keramiky. Nejvyšší piezoelektrické vlastnosti tato keramika vykazovala při y;Ce = 0.00135 a slinovaná na teplotě 1350°C/4h, kdy piezoelektrické parametry byly d33 = 501±10 pC/N, kp = 38.5±1.92 %, Pr = 12.19 C/cm2, TC = 108.1 °C a s maximální deformací S do 0.14 %. Pro další studium substituce v místě A, byly vyrobeny keramické materiály (Ba1-x-y Cax Cey) (Zr0.1 Ti0.9) O3 (x:Ca = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 a y;Ce = 0.00135). Opět se ukázalo, že pokud byla velikost zrn ~13um, tak keramika vykazovala vysoké piezoelektrické vlastnosti (d33 = 457pC/N) pro x = 0.15 % kalcinované na teplotě 1425 °C. Když se se velikost zrn zvýšila nad 16 um, piezoelektrický nábojový koeficient d33 klesl na 200 pC/N. Rentgenová analýza ukázala změnu fázové struktury z rombické na tetragonální při zvýšení obsahu vápníku.

Oxid uraničitý (UO2) je v současnosti nejčastěji používaným materiálem jakožto palivo v komerčních jaderných reaktorech. Největší nevýhodou UO2 je jeho velmi nízká tepelná vodivost, a protože se při štěpení UO2 v jaderném reaktoru vytváří velké množství tepla, vzniká v UO2 peletě velký teplotní gradient. Tento teplotní gradient způsobuje vznik velkého tepelného napětí uvnitř pelety, což následně vede k tvorbě trhlin. Tyto trhliny napomáhají k šíření štěpných plynů při vysoké míře vyhoření paliva. Tvorba trhlin a zvýšený vývin štěpného plynu posléze vede ke značnému snížení odolnosti jaderného paliva. Tato práce se zabývá problematikou zvyšování tepelné vodivosti jaderného paliva na modelu materiálu (CeO2). V této práci jsou studovány podobnosti chování CeO2 a UO2 při konvenčním slinováním a při „spark plasma sintering.“ Způsob jak zvýšit tepelnou vodivost použitý v této práci je včlenění vysoce tepelně vodivého materiálu, karbidu křemíku (SiC), do struktury CeO2 pelet. Od karbidu křemíku je očekáváno, že zvýší tok tepla z jádra pelety, a tím zvýší tepelnou vodivost CeO2. V této práci je také porovnávána podobnost chování SiC v CeO2 matrici s chováním SiC v UO2, které bylo popsáno v literatuře.

No description available.

Les oxydes à base de Cérium, ont fait l'objet de nombreuses études ces dernières décennies et se sont révélés des matériaux de choix, dans le domaine de la catalyse hétérogène. L'objectif à l'heure actuelle, est donc d'accroître la réactivité de ces oxydes, tout en élargissant leur gamme de températures optimales d'utilisation. Dans ce contexte particulier, il semble possible de moduler les propriétés des oxydes à base de cérium en contrôlant la morphologie des cristallites. Ce travail de thèse a donc été consacré à la détermination, l'élaboration et à la caractérisation de matériaux oxydes à base de cérium de morphologies contrôlées. Nous avons tout d'abord déterminé cristallographiquement et thermodynamiquement les morphologies accessibles au système étudié puis par traitement hydrothermale assistée par chauffage micro-ondes nous avons synthétisé les dites morphologies. Après caractérisation de la réactivité par ATG et thermographie Infrarouge nous avons optimisé ces matériaux par un dopage extrinsèque tout d'abord (dépôt de métaux précieux), puis par un dopage intrinsèque ensuite (Yttrium et Fer). Enfin, l'obtention de morphologies non accessibles cristallographiquement nous a amené à approfondir le(s) processus de germination croissance de ces particules et la forte réactivité des matériaux dopés fer nous a poussé à une caractérisation fine de la microstructure de ces matériaux. Au final nous avons pu corréler l'influence de la morphologie des cristallites sur la réactivité propre de l'ensemble des familles de matériaux étudiés.

L'enjeu de cette recherche est l'étude des couches tampons CeO2 et La2Zr2O7 pour supraconducteurs destinés au transport de l'énergie. Nous avons utilisé des méthodes douces et peu onéreuses pour l'élaboration des couches CeO2/SrTiO3 et La2Zr2O7/LaAlO3 tel que la méthode MOD (Metal Organic Deposition) qui s'avère bien adaptée pour la fabrication des couches tampons pour les supraconducteurs déposés (coated conductors). La comparaison de différents précurseurs de Cérium a été faite dans le but d'obtenir le précurseur adéquat pour le processus MOD. Le spin coating a été utilisé pour faire des dépôts de solution de précurseurs Ce(EH)3 et LZ(propionique) sur différents substrats. Les analyses thermogravimétriques des différents précurseurs ont permit la détermination du mode de décomposition (perte de masse en fonction de la température), d'estimer l'humidité absorbée par les précurseurs, de déterminer la température de cristallisation de l'oxyde et de discuter de la nature mixte ou pas du proprionate de lanthane-zirconium. L'analyse de microstructure et de la texture des films CeO2 et La2Zr2O7 est faite par diffraction des rayons X (balayages -2, -scan, -scan et figures de pôles). L'AFM et le MEB ont permis d'étudier la rugosité, la topologie et la morphologie de la surface. Le traitement thermique des couches tampons Ce(EH)3/SrTiO3 et (La(prop)3+ Zr(prop)4)/LAO sous différentes atmosphères nous a permis de différentier la croissance poly cristalline de la croissance épitaxiale. L'élimination du carbone résiduel dans les joints de grains bloquant la croissance des grains a été réalisée par le contrôle de la pression partielle d'oxygène lors du palier de cristallisation ; cette étape permet d'améliorer la texture des couches tampons. La vitesse de montée en température a une influence sur la nucléation dont l'influence a été étudiée. L'augmentation de la vitesse de montée favorise la nucléation hétérogène et diminue le nombre de nucléus, favorisant la naissance de grains épitaxiés plus gros. Finalement, on a réalisé des multicouches CeO2/La2Zr2O7/LaAlO3 et YBaCuO/CeO2/YSZ/IBAD pour valider les différents résultats obtenus.

Submitted by Izabel Franco (izabel-franco@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-19T19:41:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBGS.pdf: 2899470 bytes, checksum: a3a468cd5c6b79bbc4f8adf4720788bd (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-20T14:03:37Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBGS.pdf: 2899470 bytes, checksum: a3a468cd5c6b79bbc4f8adf4720788bd (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-20T14:03:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBGS.pdf: 2899470 bytes, checksum: a3a468cd5c6b79bbc4f8adf4720788bd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-20T14:03:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBGS.pdf: 2899470 bytes, checksum: a3a468cd5c6b79bbc4f8adf4720788bd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / The increasing use of fossil fuels in combustion enginees and power generation plants has caused a large increase in the emission of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere which creates serious environmental problems. Catalytic processes are used in the abatement of NOx and a promising alternative is the reduction of NOx using CO as reducing agent on catalysts containing supported transition metal oxides. Taking this into account, the aim of this study was to prepare catalysts based on Fe2O3, NiO or Fe2O3-NiO supported on ceria-zirconia (molar ratios Ce:Zr equal to 1:1 and 1:4), incorporating the metal precursor salt in the sun of the support (in situ addition). The results of XRD data, Rietveld refinement and TEM indicated the formation of a solid solution CeO2-ZrO2 with cubic structure fluorite type; furthermore, it was not observed diffraction peaks of intense X-ray of Fe or Ni oxide as a consequence of a proper distribution of these oxides in the supports. The addition of Fe2O3 and/or NiO led to a decrease of the average crystallite size, causing an increase in SBET of the catalysts compared to the pure support. N2 physisorption measurements showed that the catalysts showed significant mesoporosity, which was attributed to the addition of Tween 80 during the sol-gel preparation, moreover, RTPH2 results confirm that the Fe2O3 reduction occurs at lower temperatures in the presence NiO. In addition, the catalysts showed satisfactory performance in the reduction of NO to N2 with CO, suggesting that the sol-gel method is adequate in their preparation. Furthermore, the catalyst 0,90Fe - 1Ce:1Zr reached the highest values of CO conversion to CO2 and NO to N2 at lower temperatures. The Fe2O3 catalysts were more selective to N2 formation compared to those containing NiO. In conclusion, the conversion NO to N2 was significantly affected when in contact with O2 and H2O interferences; however, this conversion did not change significantly in the presence of SO2. The catalysts showed a more significant reduction in conversion of NO to N2 when evaluated in the simultaneous presence of O2, SO2 and H2O. / O crescente uso de combustíveis fósseis em motores de combustão e usinas de geração de energia vem causando um grande aumento na emissão de óxidos de enxofre, óxidos de nitrogênio (NOx) e monóxido de carbono na atmosfera, o que gera sérios problemas ambientais. No abatimento de NOx, em particular, utiliza-se processos catalíticos e uma alternativa promissora é a redução dos NOx utilizando CO como agente redutor sobre catalisadores à base de óxidos de metais de transição suportados. Nessa direção, a pesquisa teve por objetivo preparar catalisadores à base de Fe2O3, NiO ou Fe2O3-NiO suportados em céria-zircônia (proporções molares entre Ce e Zr iguais a 1:1 e 1:4), incorporando o sal precursor do metal no sol do suporte (adição in situ). Dados de DRX e MET indicaram a formação de uma solução sólida CeO2-ZrO2 com estrutura cúbica tipo fluorita, não se observando picos de difração de raios X intensos dos óxidos de Fe ou Ni, o que foi interpretado como uma consequência de uma adequada distribuição desses óxidos nos suportes. Os resultados do refinamento de Rietveld confirmaram os dados de DRX, indicando uma composição mássica baixa para os óxidos de Fe e/ou Ni. A adição de Fe2O3 e/ou NiO levou à uma diminuição do tamanho médio de cristalitos, causando um aumento na SBET dos catalisadores em relação ao suporte puro. Medidas de fisissorção de N2 mostraram que os catalisadores apresentaram mesoporosidade considerável, que foi atribuída à adição de Tween 80 durante a preparação sol-gel, além do mais, resultados de RTP-H2 corroboraram que a redução de Fe2O3 ocorre em temperaturas menores quando na presença de NiO. Os catalisadores apresentaram comportamento satisfatório na redução de NO a N2 com CO, indicando que o método sol-gel se mostrou adequado na sua preparação, sendo o sólido 0,90Fe - 1Ce:1Zr o que atingiu maiores valores de conversão de CO a CO2 e de NO a N2 em menores temperaturas. Em comparação aos catalisadores de NiO, os de Fe2O3 foram mais seletivos à formação de N2. Quando em contato com os interferentes O2 e H2O, a conversão NO a N2 foi consideravelmente afetada e na presença de SO2, essa conversão não se alterou significativamente. Quando avaliados na presença simultânea de O2, SO2 e H2O, os catalisadores apresentaram quedas de conversão de NO a N2 mais consideráveis.

Ceria (CeO2) containing materials are the subject of numerous investigations recently owing to their broad range of applications in various fields. Ceria is one of the most important components of three-way catalysts (TWC). Two unique features are responsible for making CeO2 a promising material for use either as a support or as an active catalyst: (a) the Ce3+/Ce4+ redox couple, and (b) its ability to shift between CeO2 and CeO2–δ under oxidizing and reducing conditions retaining fluorite structure. Despite widespread applications, pure CeO2 has a serious problem of degradation in performance with time at elevated temperatures. CeO2 undergoes rapid sintering under high operating temperatures, which leads to loss of oxygen buffer capacity and deactivation of the catalyst. In addition, the amount of lattice oxygen taking part in the redox reactions is small (δ ~ 0.05), and therefore unsatisfactory for practical applications. Therefore further improvement of OSC of CeO2 has led to development of new CeO2-based oxygen storage materials. Modifications of CeO2 with isovalent or aliovalent ion (noble metal, rare-earth or transition metal) confer new properties to the catalysts, such as better resistance to sintering and high catalytic activity. The demand for ceria-based oxygen storage materials were accelerated in the 1970s with the introduction of strict automotives exhaust treatment worldwide to combat the obnoxious gases released in the atmosphere causing deterioration of air quality. Significant developments have occurred in this field leading to better understanding of the catalysts synthesis, structure and improved catalytic activity. The introductory chapter 1 is a compendium to provide an overview of the topic, examine the critical lacunae in the field and the proposal for future developments. In chapter 2 we present the studies on synthesis and catalytic properties of Ce1– xSnxO2 (x= 0.1–0.5) solid solution and its Pd substituted analogue. A brief description of the single step solution combustion synthesis, catalysts characterization techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are given. Design and fabrication of temperature programmed reduction by hydrogen (H2-TPR) system in this laboratory is given in details. The home-made temperature programmed catalytic reaction system with a quadrupole mass spectrometer and an on-line gas-chromatograph for gas analysis is described. For the synthesis of Ce1–xSnxO2 solid solution by a single-step solution combustion method we have used tin oxalate as precursor for Sn. The compounds were characterized by XRD, XPS and TEM. Oxygen storage capacity of the Ce1–xSnxO2 solid solution was measured by H2-TPR. The cubic fluorite structure remained intact up to 50% of Sn substitution in CeO2, and the compounds were stable up to 700 °C. Oxygen storage capacity of Ce1–xSnxO2 was found to be much higher than that of Ce1–xZrxO2 due to accessible Ce4+/Ce3+ and Sn4+/Sn2+ redox couples at temperatures between 200 to 400 °C. Pd2+ ions in Ce0.78Sn0.2Pd0.02O2-δare highly ionic, and the lattice oxygen of this catalyst is highly labile, leading to low temperature CO to CO2 conversion. The rate of CO oxidation was 2 μmolg–1s–1 at 50 °C. NO reduction by CO with 70% N2 selectivity was observed at ~200 °C and 100% N2 selectivity below 260 °C with 1000-5000 ppm NO. Pd2+ ion substituted Ce1–xSnxO2 catalyst can be used for low temperature exhaust applications due to the involvement of the Sn2+/Sn4+ redox couple along with Pd2+/Pd0 and Ce4+/Ce3+ couples. With the goal to understand the improved OSC for Ce1–xSnxO2 solid solution, we have investigated the structure and its relative stability based on first-principles density functional calculations. In chapter 3, we present our studies on the relative stability of Ce1–xSnxO2 solid solution in fluorite in comparison to rutile structure of the other end-member SnO2. Analysis of relative energies of fluorite and rutile phases of CeO2, SnO2, and Ce1–xSnxO2 indicates that fluorite structure is most stable for Ce1–xSnxO2 solid solution. An analysis of local structural distortions reflected in phonon dispersion show that SnO2 in fluorite structure is highly unstable while CeO2 in rutile structure is only weakly unstable. Thus, Sn in Ce1–xSnxO2-fluorite structure is associated with high local structural distortion whereas Ce in Ce1–xSnxO2-rutile structure, if formed, will show only marginal local distortion. Determination of M–O (M = Ce or Sn) bond lengths and analysis of Born effective charges for the optimized structure of Ce1–xSnxO2 show that local coordination of these cations changes from ideal eight-fold coordination expected of Ce4+ ion in fluorite lattice, leading to generation of long and short Ce–O and Sn–O bonds in the doped structure. Bond valence analyses for all ions show the presence of oxygen with bond valence ~1.84. These weakly bonded oxygen ions are relevant for enhanced oxygen storage/release properties observed in Ce1–xSnxO2 solid solution. In chapter 4, we present detailed structural analysis of Ce1–xSnxO2 and Ce1–x– ySnxPdyO2–δsolid solutions based on our DFT calculations supported with EXAFS studies. Both EXAFS analysis and DFT calculation reveal that in the solid solution Ce exhibits 4 + 4 coordination, Sn exhibits 4 + 2 + 2 coordination and Pd has 4 + 3 coordination. While the oxygen in the first four coordination with short M—O bonds are strongly held in the lattice, the oxygens in the second and higher coordinations with long M—O bonds are weakly bound, and they are the activated oxygen in the lattice. Bond valence analysis shows that oxygen with valencies as low as 1.65 are created by the Sn and Pd ion substitution. Another interesting observation is that H2-TPR experiment of Ce1–xSnxO2 shows a broad peak starting from 200 to 500 oC, while the same reduction is achieved in a single step at ~110 oC in presence Pd2+ ion. Substitution of Pd2+ ion thus facilitates synergistic reduction of the catalyst at lower temperature. We have shown that simultaneous reduction of the Ce4+ and Sn4+ ions by Pd0 is the synergistic interaction leading to high oxygen storage capacity at low temperature. In chapter 5, we present the effect of substituting aliovalent Fe3+ ion on OSC and catalytic activity of ceria. Ce0.9Fe0.1O2–δ and Ce0.89Fe0.1Pd0.01O2–δ solid solutions have been synthesized by solution combustion method, which show higher oxygen storage/release property compared to CeO2 and Ce0.8Zr0.2O2. Temperature programmed reduction and XPS study reveal that the presence of Pd ion in Ce0.9Fe0.1O2–δ facilitates complete reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ state and partial reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+ state at temperatures as low as 105 oC compared to 400 oC for monometal-ionic Ce0.9Fe0.1O2–δ. Fe3+ ion is reduced to Fe2 and not to Fe0 due to favorable redox potential for Ce4 + Fe2൅ → Ce3 + Fe3 reaction. Using first-principles density functional theory calculation we determine M—O (M = Pd, Fe, Ce) bond lengths, and find that bond lengths vary from shorter (2.16 Å) to longer (2.9 Å) bond distances compared to mean Ce—O bond distance of 2.34 Åfor CeO2. Using these results in bond valence analysis, we show that oxygen with bond valences as low as –1.55 are created, leading to activation of lattice oxygen in the bimetal ionic catalyst. Temperatures of CO oxidation and NO reduction by CO/H2 are lower with the bimetal ionic Ce0.89Fe0.1Pd0.01O2–δ catalyst compared to monometal-ionic Ce0.9Fe0.1O2–δ and Ce0.99Pd0.01O2–δ catalysts. From XPS studies of Pd impregnated on CeO2 and Fe2O3 oxides, we show that the synergism leading to low temperature activation of lattice oxygen in bimetal-ionic catalyst Ce0.89Fe0.1Pd0.01O2–δ is due to low-temperature reduction of Pd2 to Pd0, followed by Pd0 + 2Fe3൅ → Pd2 +2Fe2, Pd0 + 2Ce4൅ → Pd2 + 2Ce3redox reaction. In chapter 6, we simulate the structure of Ce1–xMxO2–δ (M = transition metal, noble metal and rare–earth ions) for theoretical understanding of origin of OSC in these oxides and to draw a general criteria required to increase the OSC in ceria. The relationship between the OSC and structural changes induced by the dopant ion was investigated by H2-TPR and first-principles based density functional calculations. Transition metal and noble metal ions substitution in ceria greatly enhances the reducibility of Ce1–xMxO2–δ (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Pd, Pt, Ru), whereas rare–earth ions substituted Ce1–xAxO2–δ (A = La, Y) have very little effect in improving the OSC. Our simulated optimized structure shows deviation in cation–oxygen bond length from ideal bond length of 2.34 Å (for CeO2). For example, our calculation for Ce28Mn4O62 structure shows that Mn—O bonds are in 4+2 coordination with average bond lengths of 2.0 and 3.06 Å respectively. While the four short Mn–O bond lengths for the calculated structure spans the bond distance region of Mn2O3, and the other two Mn–O bonds are moved to longer distances. The dopant transition and noble metal ions also affects Ce coordination shell and results in the formation of longer Ce—O bonds as well. Thus longer cation-oxygen bond lengths for both dopant and host ions results in enhanced synergistic reduction of the solid solution. With Pd ion substitution in Ce1–xMxO2–δ (M = Mn Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) further enhancement in OSC is observed in H2–TPR. This effect is reflected in our calculations by the presence of still longer bonds compared to the model without Pd ion doping. Synergistic effect is, therefore, due to enhanced reducibility of both dopant and host ion induced due to structural distortion of fluorite lattice in presence of dopant ion. For RE ions (RE = Y, La) our calculations show very little deviation of bonds lengths from ideal fluorite structure. The absence of longer Y— O/La—O and Ce–O bonds make the structure very less susceptible to reduction [8]. Since Pd substituted Ce1–xSnxO2 showed high OSC and catalytic activity towards CO oxidation and NO reduction, we tested this catalyst for water-gas shift (WGS) reaction and the results are presented in chapter 7. Over 99.5 % CO conversion to H2 is observed at 300 ± 25 oC. Based on different characterization techniques we found that the present catalyst is resistant to deactivation due to carbonate formation and sintering of Pt on the surface when subjected to longer duration of reaction conditions. The catalyst does not require any pre-treatment or activation between start-up/shut-down reaction operations. Formation of side products such as methane, methanol, formaldehyde, coke etc. was not observed under the WGS reaction conditions indicating the high selectivity of the catalyst for H2. Temperature programmed reduction of the catalyst in hydrogen (H2–TPR) shows reversible reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+, Sn4+ to Sn2+ and Pt4+ to Pt0 oxidation state with oxygen storage capacity (OSC) of 3500 μmol g–1 at 80 oC. Such high value of OSC indicates the presence of highly activated lattice oxygen. CO oxidation in presence of stoichiometric O2 shows 100 % conversion to CO2 at room temperature. The catalyst also exhibits 100% selectivity for CO2 at room temperature towards preferential oxidation (PROX) of residual CO in presence of excess hydrogen in the feed. To further validate our DFT results presented in the thesis, DFT calculations on Ce2Zr2O8–Ce2Zr2O7 system were performed and the results are given in the last chapter 8. Ce2Zr2O7 does not show any oxygen storage/release property unlike Ce2Zr2O8 (=Ce0.5Zr0.5O2). Bond lengths obtained from DFT simulation on Ce2Zr2O7 structure showed well-defined Ce—O and Zr—O bonds expected of the pyrochlore structure, unlike distribution of bond lengths as has been observed for Ce1–xMxO2–δ case. Absence of bonds distribution indicates that the oxygen sublattice is not distorted in Ce2Zr2O7 in agreement with its closed packed structure. Filling of the 1/8 of the tetrahedral oxide ion vacancies will result in Ce2Zr2O8 structure, and DFT calculation for this structure show wide distribution of bond lengths. Long Ce—O and Zr—O bonds appear in the bond-distribution plot, suggesting substantial distortion of the oxygen sublattice. Thus absence of longer cation-oxygen bond in pyrochlore structure validates the structural calculations presented in this thesis. Based on the results derived in all the chapters, a critical review of the work is presented and major conclusions are given in the last chapter

Ce travail rapporte l’étude des processus de désactivation et des modifications d’un catalyseur Ir supportésur cérine en vaporeformage de l’éthanol. Différentes causes de désactivation ont été identifiées selon lesconditions opératoires : température, temps de contact et temps de réaction. La désactivation initiale,rapide mais limitée a été attribuée à la restructuration de surface de la cérine et à la formation d’unemonocouche d’intermédiaires de type acetate, carbonate et hydroxyls. En parallèle, une désactivationlente et progressive a été mise en évidence, ayant pour origine les changements structurels de l’interfaceentre la cérine et l’iridium, liés au frittage des particules d’iridium et à la restructuration profonde de lacérine. Par contre, la formation continue, à température modérée, d’une couche de carbone encapsulantissu de la polymérisation d’intermédiaires C2 n’a pas semblé contribuer significativement à ladésactivation du catalyseur dans nos conditions opératoires. Pour limiter ce phénomène de désactivation,des modifications ont été apportées au catalyseur. Le dopage du catalyseur par PrOx a permis defortement améliorer la capacité de stockage de l’oxygène et la stabilité thermique du catalyseur,entraînant une augmentation de son activité et de sa stabilité en vaporeformage de l’éthanol. Lecatalyseur Ir/CeO2 a ensuite subi une mise en forme de la cérine (nano-tubes), avec une influencesignificative sur l'activité et la stabilité en vaporeformage de l’éthanol, liée à des effets structuraux. Unemodélisation simplifiée de ces divers phénomènes a également contribué à soutenir les propositionsoriginales de ce travail. / The objective of the thesis was to analyze the ageing processes and the modifications of an Ir/CeO2catalyst for steam reforming of ethanol. Over a model Ir/CeO2 catalyst, the initial and fast deactivationwas ascribed to ceria surface restructuring and the build-up of intermediates monolayer (acetate,carbonate and hydroxyl groups). In parallel, a progressive and slow deactivation was found to come fromthe structural changes at the ceria/Ir interface linked to Ir sintering and ceria restructuring. Theencapsulating carbon, coming from C2 intermediates polymerization, did not seem too detrimental to theactivity in the investigated operating conditions. By doping ceria with PrOx, the oxygen storage capacityand thermal stability were greatly promoted, resulting in the enhanced activity and stability. The Ir/CeO2catalyst was then modified by changing the shape of ceria. It was found that the shape and therefore thestructure of ceria influenced the activity and stability significantly. A simplified modeling of theseprocesses has contributed to support the new proposals of this work.

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