Ceria-Based Nanocatalysts in Oxidation Processes

Ceria (CeO₂) nanoparticles have emerged as versatile oxidation catalysts owing to their facile redox cycling between Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺, high oxygen storage and release capacity, and tunable surface structures. Control over particle morphology (cubes, rods, polyhedra) allows exposure of distinct crystal facets ({100}, {110}, {111}) that differ in reactivity and oxygen vacancy formation energy. Doping with aliovalent cations or integration into core–shell architectures can enhance vacancy concentration and stabilise active phases under harsh conditions. These materials underpin efficient oxidation of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and light alkanes, with applications spanning emission control, chemical synthesis and energy conversion.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Studies on CeO₂ nanocubes have revealed that oxygen vacancy clusters are central to catalytic oxidation of o-xylene, with the size and distribution of vacancy ensembles tuneable by careful calcination. Water vapour promotes the generation of surface hydroxyl radicals, linking vacancy consumption to accelerated intermediate formation and sustained activity. In perovskite systems, partial substitution of La³⁺ by Ce³⁺ in LaCoO₃ introduces lattice defects that facilitate rapid oxygen mobility and enhance benzyl alcohol oxidation under mild conditions, with remarkable catalyst recyclability. Investigations of palladium–ceria core–shell subunits have uncovered dynamic structural evolution under reaction atmospheres: in situ electron microscopy shows intermixing of Pd, Ce and support elements to form highly dispersed active sites, elucidating structure–activity relationships for methane combustion.

Ceria-Based Nanocatalysts in Oxidation Processes publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in ceria-based nanocatalysts in oxidation processes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Oxygen vacancy: A lattice defect in CeO₂ where an oxygen ion is missing, enabling storage and release of active oxygen species.

Redox cycle: The reversible conversion between Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ oxidation states that underlies oxygen uptake and release.

Core–shell structure: A composite nanoparticle architecture featuring a central ‘core’ material encapsulated by an outer ‘shell’, enhancing stability and interfacial synergy.

Turnover frequency (TOF): The number of reactant molecules converted per active site per unit time, a measure of intrinsic catalytic activity.

References

1. Aging mechanisms of nanoceria and pathways for preserving optimum morphology. Nano Today (2023).
2. Dynamic structural evolution of supported palladium–ceria core–shell catalysts revealed by in situ electron microscopy. Nature Communications (2015).
3. Oxygen vacancy clusters essential for the catalytic activity of CeO2 nanocubes for o-xylene oxidation. Scientific Reports (2017).
4. Catalytic performance of the Ce-doped LaCoO3 perovskite nanoparticles. Scientific Reports (2020).
5. Sintering-resistant Pt@CeO 2 nanoparticles for high-temperature oxidation catalysis. Nanoscale (2016).