A nanophase oxygen storage material: Alumina-coated metal-based ceria

Nanoparticles of Ce1−xMxO2−δ (M = Ca or Zr) coated with Al2O3 with average crystallite size of 10 nm have been synthesised via solution chemistry approach under controlled chemical and hydrodynamic conditions. Their synthesis has been accomplished in three major steps: (1) simultaneous co-precipitation of cations, (2) sequential precipitation of Al(OH)3 over the former particles and (3) calcination of the precipitated precursors to the corresponding oxides. Several compositions have been synthesised and their physicochemical properties are compared with commercial state-of-the-art material. The Al2O3-coating hinders the particles growth at high temperatures, resulting in materials with a large specific surface area and a restrain in the decrease of their oxygen storage capacity.