A composite material with CeO2-ZrO2 nanocrystallines embedded in SiO2 matrices and its enhanced thermal stability and oxygen storage capacity

A simple hydrothermal procedure is introduced, which leads to the successful synthesis of a new composite material with fine CeO 2 -ZrO 2 nanocrystallites embedded in amorphous and porous SiO 2 matrices. The composite material possesses an extraordinary high thermal stability. After being calcined at 1000 °C, it retains CeO 2 -ZrO 2 nanocrystallites of the size around 5 nm, a BET-specific surface area of 165 m 2 /g, and an oxygen storage capacity of 468 μmol/g. No phase segregation for CeO 2 -ZrO 2 nanocrystallites is detected and the SiO 2 matrices remain not crystallized. The composite material shows a great potential as a support of three-way catalyst, as evidenced in catalytic tests with supported Pt.