Ceria-Terbium-based electrospun nanofiber catalysts for soot oxidation activity and its kinetics

Abstract

Background: Ceria-based materials have an excellent potential to be catalysts for catalytic three-way converters in the automobile industry. Developing Ceria-based nanofiber catalysts can be a significant approach for further exploring the application of these materials in automobile industries. Methods: In this study, Ag, Cu, or Co doped Ceria–Terbium nanofibers were synthesized using the electrospinning technique. The obtained nanofiber catalysts were characterized using FE-SEM, XRD, FT-Raman Spectroscopy, and BET-BJH analysis and tested for soot oxidation activity and its kinetics. Significant findings: FE-SEM examination reveals that the obtained nanofibers have a diameter ranging from around 100 to 600 nm. CeTbCo nanofibers exhibited a reduced particle size and enhanced pore formation. The XRD investigation revealed that all the nanofibers displayed a face-centered fluorite structure of CeO<inf>2</inf>. In Raman spectroscopy analysis, CeTbCo nanofibes showed the emergence of a secondary Co<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> phase. The CeTbCo nanofiber catalyst showed better S<inf>BET</inf> (specific surface area) (66 m2/g) and average pore size (12.08 nm) and total pore volume (0.223 cc/g)), better soot oxidation activity (T<inf>50</inf> = 347 ℃) than other nanofiber catalysts. The CeTbCo nanofiber catalyst exhibited an activation energy of 132 kJ mol−1 and a pre-exponential factor (ln (A)) of 25.63 min−1. © 2024 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers