The defects-rich cerium oxide (CeO2) supported metal oxide or metal catalysts (Cu, Co, Ni, Fe, Mn and Ru) for catalytic CO2 reduction were studied. For comparison, thermal catalysis, plasma catalysis and electrocatalysis techniques were carried out under various equilibrium and non-equilibrium experimental conditions. The effects of particle morphology, surface modification and reduction treatment on CeO2 supports and supported catalysts were also investigated and discussed to understand the underlying mechanisms in terms of the valence states, surface defects and support-catalyst interaction.A series of surface engineered CeO2 (nanorods, nanocubes, and nanoctahedra) supported metal oxide catalysts were synthesized, characterized and applied to achieve low-temperature and energy-efficient CO2 reduction. The comparison between thermal catalysis under thermodynamic equilibrium conditions and plasma catalysis under non-equilibrium conditions reveals the promotion effect of plasma on the catalytic activity of CO2 hydrogenation with the ionized gas in the plasma region via the formation of highly reactive species (i.e., vibrationally and electronically excited ions and free radicals). The effect of reduction activation treatment was examined that could change the valence states of Ru species and provide alternative reaction pathways for CO2hydrogenation, leading to higher CO2 conversion at low temperature (~95% at 150 oC) under plasma conditions. Furthermore, ~89 % CO2 conversion and ~98 % CH4 selectivity were obtained for surface modified CeO2 nanorods (mCeO2NR) supported RuOx catalysts at 150 oC, companied with excellent stability (~87 % CO2 conversion at 350 oC). Applying surface modification on the CeO2 surface generates more surface defects (oxygen vacancy, voids, and steps, etc.) as anchoring sites for Ru species and increases the thermal stability of catalyst clusters.Additionally, electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 was conducted at room temperature under atmospheric pressure with CeO2 doped RuOx catalyst films. Different CeO2 nanocrystals including pristine CeO2NR, mCeO2NR, CeO2 nanocubes (CeO2NC) and CeO2 nanoctahedra (CeO2NO) were doped into RuOx and the mCeO2NR-RuOx thin film was found to present the highest current density (166 mA/cm2 at -1.6 V vs RHE.) with the highest double-layer capacitance (100 mF/cm2) and lowest resistance from the linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry results.

Catalysis by Materials with Well-Defined Structures examines the latest developments in the use of model systems in fundamental catalytic science. A team of prominent experts provides authoritative, first-hand information, helping readers better understand heterogeneous catalysis by utilizing model catalysts based on uniformly nanostructured materials. The text addresses topics and issues related to material synthesis, characterization, catalytic reactions, surface chemistry, mechanism, and theoretical modeling, and features a comprehensive review of recent advances in catalytic studies on nanomaterials with well-defined structures, including nanoshaped metals and metal oxides, nanoclusters, and single sites in the areas of heterogeneous thermal catalysis, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis. Users will find this book to be an invaluable, authoritative source of information for both the surface scientist and the catalysis practitioner - Outlines the importance of nanomaterials and their potential as catalysts - Provides detailed information on synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials with well-defined structures, relating surface activity to catalytic activity - Details how to establish the structure-catalysis relationship and how to reveal the surface chemistry and surface structure of catalysts - Offers examples on various in situ characterization instrumental techniques - Includes in-depth theoretical modeling utilizing advanced Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods

Alternatively, CO2 can be reduced with ethane from shale gas, which produces either synthesis gas (CO + H2) or ethylene with high selectivity. Pt/CeO2 is a promising catalyst to produce synthesis gas, while Mo2C based materials preserve the C-C bond of ethane to produce ethylene. Ethylene and higher olefins are desirable for their high demand as commodity chemicals; therefore, future studies into CO2 reduction must identify new low-cost materials that are active and stable with higher selectivity toward the production of light olefins.

The book follows the 2002 edition of Catalysis by Ceria and Related Materials, which was the first book entirely devoted to ceria and its catalytic properties. It covers fundamental and applied aspects of the latest advances in ceria-based materials with a special focus on structural, redox and catalytic features of nano-engineered systems. In addition, it presents recent advances of traditional large-scale applications of ceria in catalysis, such as the treatment of emissions from mobile sources (including diesel and gasoline engines).

This text explores the optimization of catalytic materials through traditional and novel methods of catalyst preparation, characterization, and monitoring for oxides, supported metals, zeolites, and heteropolyacids. It focuses on the synthesis of bulk materials and of heterogeneous materials, particularly at the nanoscale. The final chapters examine pretreatment, drying, finishing effects, and future applications involving catalyst preparation and the technological advances necessary for continued progress. Topics also include heat and mass transfer limitations, computation methods for predicting properties, and catalyst monitoring on laboratory and industrial scales.

This volume contains peer-reviewed manuscripts describing the scientific and technological advances presented at the 6th Natural Gas Conversion Sumposium held in Alaska in June 2001. This symposium continues the tradition of excellence and the status as the premier technical meeting in this area established by previous meetings.The 6th Natural Gas Conversion Symposium is conducted under the overall direction of the Organizing Committee. The Program Committee was responsible for the review, selection, editing of most of the manuscripts included in this volum. A standing International Advisory Board has ensured the effective long-term planning and the continuity and technical excellence of these meetings.

Cerium Oxide (CeO2): Synthesis, Properties and Applications provides an updated and comprehensive account of the research in the field of cerium oxide based materials. The book is divided into three main blocks that deal with its properties, synthesis and applications. Special attention is devoted to the growing number of applications of ceria based materials, including their usage in industrial and environmental catalysis and photocatalysis, energy production and storage, sensors, cosmetics, radioprotection, glass technology, pigments, stainless steel and toxicology. A brief historical introduction gives users background, and a final chapter addresses future perspectives and outlooks to stimulate future research. The book is intended for a wide audience, including students, academics and industrial researchers working in materials science, chemistry and physics. - Addresses a wide range of applications of ceria-based materials, including catalysis, energy production and storage, sensors, cosmetics and toxicology - Provides the fundamentals of ceria-based materials, including synthesis methods, materials properties, toxicology and surface chemistry - Includes nanostructured ceria-based materials and a discussion of future prospects and outlooks

Plasma catalysis is gaining increasing interest for various gas conversion applications, such as CO2 conversion into value-added chemicals and fuels, N2 fixation for the synthesis of NH3 or NOx, methane conversion into higher hydrocarbons or oxygenates. It is also widely used for air pollution control (e.g., VOC remediation). Plasma catalysis allows thermodynamically difficult reactions to proceed at ambient pressure and temperature, due to activation of the gas molecules by energetic electrons created in the plasma. However, plasma is very reactive but not selective, and thus a catalyst is needed to improve the selectivity. In spite of the growing interest in plasma catalysis, the underlying mechanisms of the (possible) synergy between plasma and catalyst are not yet fully understood. Indeed, plasma catalysis is quite complicated, as the plasma will affect the catalyst and vice versa. Moreover, due to the reactive plasma environment, the most suitable catalysts will probably be different from thermal catalysts. More research is needed to better understand the plasma–catalyst interactions, in order to further improve the applications.