Water splitting reaction on Ce0.15Zr0.85O2 driven by surface heterogeneity†
Abstract
Ce0.15Zr0.85O2 was investigated in the two-step water splitting reaction. High-temperature treatment in N2 induced compositional and structural heterogeneities which contributed to a six-fold increase of H2 yield after the first cycle. Ceria surface enrichment and the formation of a ceria–zirconia oxynitride phase positively affected the reduction and oxidation steps.