Synthesis and characteristics of La doped ceria-zirconia composite with uniform nano-crystallite dispersion

A poly block copolymer surfactant-controlled process combined with hydrothermal treatment has been developed for the preparation of novel La doped ceria-zirconia nanocomposite. This composite shows uniform particle dispersion and high surface areas (>160 m(2)/g). The average crystallite sizes of this nanocomposite range from 4.2 nm to 5.8 nm when calcined at 500 degrees C similar to 700 degrees C, and a highly stable nanoporous structure of around 30 nm in pore diameter can be well maintained after the further thermal treatment from 500 degrees C to 900 degrees C. This nano-composite can be homogeneously dispersed into H(2)O solution with no obvious agglomerates, and thus can well be coated onto the surface of metal honeycomb substrates with the further catalytic applications.