Preparation and characterization of fibrous cerium oxide templated from activated carbon fibers

Mark Crocker, Uschi M. Graham, Rolando Gonzalez, Erin Morris, Gary Jacobs, Rodney Andrews

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

High surface area cerium oxide has been prepared using a carbon templating method. Impregnation of a highly mesoporous activated carbon (Darco KB-B) with an aqueous solution of cerium nitrate, followed by carbon burn off, afforded ceria with surface area of up to 148 m2/g. According to thermogravimetric studies, ceria formation proceeds via decomposition of cerium nitrate at ca. 410 K; oxidation of the carbon template commences at the same temperature, being facilitated by the release of NO2 from the Ce compound. Use of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) as template was found to provide a simple route to fibrous cerium oxide. The lower surface areas (3 - 59 m 2/g) of the resulting ceria fibers reflect the largely microporous nature of the ACFs; evidently the Ce nitrate solution is unable to penetrate their micropores. Consequently, the surface area of the ceria product is found to increase with increasing mesoporosity of the ACF template. Electron microscopy reveals that the ceria fibers are composed of highly crystalline primary particles of 5-10 nm diameter; further, the fibers display a number of interesting morphological features at the macro- and nano-scales.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNanoporous and Nanostructured Materials for Catalysis, Sensor, and Gas Separation Applications
Pages40-45
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005
Event2005 MRS Spring Meeting - San Francisco, CA, United States
Duration: Mar 28 2005Apr 1 2005

Publication series

NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Volume876
ISSN (Print)0272-9172

Conference

Conference2005 MRS Spring Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco, CA
Period3/28/054/1/05

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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