A facile ceria–zirconia binary oxide used for degradation of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide

Ceria–zirconia binary oxides (Ce x Zr1−x O2) with different Ce/Zr ratios were prepared through a facile co-precipitation method using ammonia as the precipitating agent, and used for the first time as reactive sorbents for degradation of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2-CEES). The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, BET, TGA–DSC, XPS, as well as CO2-TPD. The results revealed that Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 exhibited the best degradation performance, hence providing its possible applicability as a new reactive sorbent against CWAs. The 2-CEES was destroyed through the hydrolysis and elimination by surface bound alkoxy species formed on the surface of ceria–zirconia binary oxides. The chemisorbed water and the strong basicity were the key factors to the effective degradation of 2-CEES.