Localization Effect on Pt-Loaded Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 Nanoparticles Inserted Into Mesoporous SBA-16 by Hydrothermal Processing.

We succeeded to use hydrothermal treatment to insert prefabricated Pt-loaded Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 (PtCZ) nanoparticles into the mesopores of the SBA-16 mesoporous silica without disordering of the mesoporous structure. Samples prepared by the hydrothermal treatment exhibited superior oxygen storage capacity compared to that of simple dry mixed sample. The oxygen storage capacity of the hydrothermally treated PtCZ is attributed to the localized PtCZ nanoparticles inside the mesopores of the SBA-16. FTIR analysis suggested that the PtCZ nanoparticles inside the mesopores possess the Si-O-Zr linkages that are bonded to the inner walls of the SBA-16 host. This linkage is the key reason for the superior oxygen storage capacity of PtCZ localized in the mesopores by hydrothermal treatment. It is considered that the formation of the Si-O-Zr linkage in the hydrothermally treated samples resulted in crystalline distortions of Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 nanoparticles inside the mesopores, and which contribute to enhance the oxygen storage capacity of PtCZ.