Structural studies of mesoporous ZrO2-CeO2 and ZrO2-CeO2/SiO2 mixed oxides for catalytical applications

Abstract In this work the synthesis of ZrO 2 -CeO 2 and ZrO 2 -CeO 2 /SiO 2 were developed, based on the process to form ordered mesoporous materials such as SBA-15 silica. The triblock copolymer Pluronic P-123 was used as template, aiming to obtain crystalline single phase walls and larger specific surface area, for future applications in catalysis. SAXS and XRD results showed a relationship between ordered pores and the material crystallization. 90% of CeO 2 leaded to single phase homogeneous ceria-zirconia solid solution of cubic fluorite structure (Fm 3 ¯ m). The SiO 2 addition improved structural and textural properties as well as the reduction behavior at lower temperatures, investigated by XANES measurements under H 2 atmosphere.