Highly efficient cerium dioxide nanocube-based catalysts for low temperature diesel soot oxidation: the cooperative effect of cerium- and cobalt-oxides

Abstract

Co₃O₄ promoted CeO₂ nanocubes have been found to exhibit outstanding catalytic activity for the oxidation of diesel soot at low temperatures (50% soot conversion = 606 K). This remarkable performance is attributed to the superior reducible nature of cerium oxide and the preferential exposure of CeO₂ (100) and Co₃O₄ (110) facets. A probable mechanism based on the cooperative effect of cerium- and cobalt-oxides has been proposed, offering new possibilities for the design of promising materials for catalytic soot oxidation.