Morphology and crystal structure of CeO2-modified mesoporous ZrO2 powders prepared by sol–gel method

Mesoporous ZrO2 powder modified by CeO2 has been prepared by sol–gel method combined with novel heat-treatment without any templates. The morphology and crystal structure were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR), thermal gravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscope, N2 absorption–desorption, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). It was demonstrated that the morphologies and crystal structures were varied with the CeO2 content and calcination temperatures. Some circular grooves with diameter about 300–500 nm and thickness of 150–200 nm were observed for 30 mol% CeO2 modified samples. Tetragonal ZrO2 and cubic (Ce,Zr)O2 solid solution were in turn observed with CeO2 content increasing. The oxygen storage capacity (OSC) of the mesoporous powders was determined by thermalgravimetry (TG) under cyclic thermal treatments.

Graphical abstractMesoporous ZrO2–CeO2 powders with high surface area were prepared by sol–gel combined with solvothermal method without any templates. The morphology, crystal structure, thermal stability and OSC performance were affected by the component and temperatures.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► This work is based on the viewpoint that increasing thermal stability and OSC performance of mesoporous ZrO2 powders. ► Mesoporous ZrO2 powders with high surface area and novel morphology were prepared by sol–gel method under steam flows. ► The morphology and crystal structure of ZrO2 powder were varied with the different CeO2 content.