Ag/CeO2 nanospheres: Efficient catalysts for formaldehyde oxidation

- Ag/CeO2 nanospheres were prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method.
- Ag/CeO2 nanospheres were active for catalytic oxidation of formaldehyde under relatively high space velocity.
- The presence of silver could facilitate surface chemisorbed oxygen activation.
- Formate species (HCOO−) were found to be the key intermediates in catalytic oxidation process of HCHO.