Characterization and catalytic behavior of cerium oxide doped into aluminosilicophosphate glasses

Abstract

Cerium oxide is commonly used as a catalyst for the oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) in vehicle exhaust gases, and it is used as a petroleum-cracking catalyst in oil refineries. In this study, cerium aluminosilicophosphate glasses were synthesized and various physical and catalytic properties were measured, including optical properties and decomposition temperatures, by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. Ce3+/Ce4+ ratios and structural changes in the glass attributable to doping with ∼25 mol % CeO2 were investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Changes in the catalytic properties of the glasses as a function of CeO2 content were confirmed by changes in the decomposition starting temperatures. These temperatures decreased with increasing CeO2 content of the glasses. We also discuss the role of CeO2 in terms of the catalytic properties of the glass structure.