Nano-structured CeO2 supported Cu-Pd bimetallic catalysts for the oxygen-assisted water–gas-shift reaction

The present work focuses on the development of novel Cu-Pd bimetallic catalysts supported on nano-sized high-surface-area CeO₂ for the oxygen-assisted water–gas-shift (OWGS) reaction. High-surface-area CeO₂ was synthesized by urea gelation (UG) and template-assisted (TA) methods. The UG method offered CeO₂ with a BET surface area of about 215 m²/g, significantly higher than that of commercially available CeO₂. Cu and Pd were supported on CeO₂ synthesized by the UG and TA methods and their catalytic performance in the OWGS reaction was investigated systematically. Catalysts with about 30 wt% Cu and 1 wt% Pd were found to exhibit a maximum CO conversion close to 100%. The effect of metal loading method and the influence of CeO₂ support on the catalytic performance were also investigated. The results indicated that Cu and Pd loaded by incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) exhibited better performance than that prepared by deposition–precipitation (DP) method. The difference in the catalytic activity was related to the lower Cu surface concentration, better Cu–Ce and Pd–Ce interactions and improved reducibility of Cu and Pd in the IWI catalyst as determined by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) studies. A direct relation between BET surface area of the CeO₂ support and CO conversion was also observed. The Cu-Pd bimetallic catalysts supported on high-surface-area CeO₂ synthesized by UG method exhibited at least two-fold higher CO conversion than the commercial CeO₂ or that obtained by TA method. The catalyst retains about 100% CO conversion even under extremely high H₂ concentration.     

The reactions of ethanol over M/CeO2 catalysts: Evidence of carbon–carbon bond dissociation at low temperatures over Rh/CeO2

The reactions of ethanol over Rh/CeO₂ have been investigated using the techniques of temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and FT-IR spectroscopy, in addition to steady state catalytic tests. A comparison with previous studies of ethanol adsorption over Pd/CeO₂ [J. Catal. 186 (1999) 279] and Pt/CeO₂ [J. Catal. 191 (2000) 30] catalysts is presented. The apparent activation energy for the reaction was 49, 40, and 43 kJ mol⁻¹ for Rh/CeO₂, Pd/CeO₂ and Pt/CeO_2, respectively, while the turnover number (TON) at 400 K was 5.9, 8.6 and 2.6, respectively. Surface compositions of catalysts were characterised by XPS. A decrease of the atomic O(1s)/Ce(3d) ratio of the CeO₂ support indicates its partial reduction upon addition of the noble metal. The extent of reduction per metal atom was in the following order: Pt>Pd>Rh. FT-IR and TPD studies have shown that dehydrogenation of ethanol to acetaldehyde occurred over Pd/CeO₂, Pt/CeO₂ and Rh/CeO₂. Moreover, Rh/CeO₂ readily dissociated the C–C bond of ethanol at room temperature to form adsorbed CO (IR bands at 1904–2091 cm⁻¹). This was corroborated by the low desorption temperature of CH₄ over Rh/CeO₂ (450 K) when compared to that of Pd/CeO₂ (550 K) or Pt/CeO₂ (585 K).     

CO oxidation at low temperature over Pd supported on CeO2-TiO2 composite oxide

Low temperature CO oxidation was carried out over CeO₂-TiO₂ composite oxide and thereon supported Pd catalysts. The effects of Ce/Ti ratio and pre-treatments of calcination and reduction on the catalytic behaviour were investigated. The CO oxidation starts at about 220 °C over CeO₂-TiO₂ and the pre-reduction treatment has little influence on the catalytic activity. Pd supported on CeO₂-TiO₂ (Pd/CeO₂-TiO₂) exhibits high activity for CO oxidation and a complete conversion of CO to CO₂ can be achieved even at ambient temperature, which suggests a synergistic effect between Pd and CeO₂-TiO₂. The activity and stability of Pd/CeO₂-TiO₂ can be further improved by the pre-reduction treatment. Ce/Ti ratio influences the catalytic behaviour significantly; the catalyst Pd/CeO₂-TiO₂ with a Ce/Ti mole ratio of 0.20 (Pd/Ce20Ti) owns the highest activity and stability, which suggests an optimization of the Pd-Ce-Ti interaction in Pd/Ce20Ti. The calcined Pd/CeO₂-TiO₂ with a Ce/Ti mole ratio higher than 0.10 shows a distorted light-off profile with the temperature, which implies an alternation of the reaction mechanism with increasing temperature.     

The effect of CeO2 structure on the activity of supported Pd catalysts used for methane steam reforming

Palladium (Pd) supported on CeO₂-promoted γ-Al₂O₃ with various CeO₂ (ceria) crystallinities, were used as catalysts in the methane steam reforming reaction. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to characterize the samples in terms of Pd and CeO₂ structure and dispersion on the γ-Al₂O₃ support. These results were correlated with the observed catalytic activity and deactivation process. Arrhenius plots at steady-state conditions are presented as a function of CeO₂ structure. Pd is present on the oxidized CeO₂-promoted catalysts as Pd⁰, Pd⁺ and Pd²⁺, at ratios strongly dependent on CeO₂ structure. XRD measurements indicated that Pd is well dispersed (particles <2 nm) on crystalline CeO₂ and is agglomerated as large clusters (particles in 10–20 nm range) on amorphous CeO₂. FTIR spectra of adsorbed CO revealed that after pre-treatment under H₂ or in the presence of amorphous CeO₂, partial encapsulation of Pd particles occurs. CeO₂ structure influences the CH₄ steam reforming reaction rates. Crystalline CeO₂ and dispersed Pd favor high reaction rates (low activation energy). The presence of CeO₂ as a promoter conferred high catalytic activity to the alumina-supported Pd catalysts. The catalytic activity is significantly lower on Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ or on amorphous (reduced) CeO₂/Al₂O₃ catalysts. The reaction rates are two orders of magnitude higher on Pd/CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ than on Pd/γ-Al₂O₃, which is attributed to a catalytic synergism between Pd and CeO₂. The low rates on the reduced Pd/CeO₂/Al₂O₃ catalysts can be correlated with the loss of Pd sites through encapsulation or particle agglomeration, a process found mostly irreversible after catalyst regeneration.     

Effects of ZrO2/Al2O3 properties on the catalytic activity of Pd catalysts for methane combustion and CO oxidation

Zirconia supported on alumina was prepared and characterized by BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and pulse reaction. 0.2% Pd/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of supports with aqueous solution of Pd(NO₃)₂. The effects of support properties on catalytic activity for methane combustion and CO oxidation were investigated. The results show that ZrO₂ is highly dispersed on the surface of Al₂O₃ up to 10 wt.% ZrO₂, beyond this value tetragonal ZrO₂ is formed. The presence of a small amount of ZrO₂ can increase the surface area, pore volume and acidity of support. CO–TPD results show that the increase of CO adsorption capacity and the activation of CO bond after the presence of ZrO₂ lead to the increase of catalytic activity of Pd catalyst for CO oxidation. CO pulse reaction results indicate that the lattice oxygen of support can be activated at lower temperature following the presence of ZrO₂, but it does not accelerate the activity of 0.2% Pd/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ for methane combustion. 0.2% Pd/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ dried at 120 °C shows highest activity for CH₄ combustion, and the activity can be further enhanced following the repeat run. The increase of treatment temperature and pre-reduction can decrease the activity of catalyst for CH₄ combustion.     

On the mechanism of model diesel soot-O2 reaction catalysed by Pt-containing La-doped CeO2: A TAP study with isotopic O2

Pt supported on CeO₂ and 10 wt.% La³⁺-doped CeO₂ catalysts have been prepared, characterised and tested for soot oxidation by O₂ in TGA. The reaction mechanism has been studied in a TAP reactor with labelled O₂. Isotopic oxygen exchange between molecular O₂ and ‘O’ on the support/catalyst was observed and soot oxidation is being carried out by lattice oxygen. TAP studies further show that Pt improves O₂ adsorption and, therefore, 5 wt.% Pt-containing catalysts are more active for soot oxidation than the counterpart supports. In addition, CeO₂ doping by La³⁺ leads to an improved support, since La³⁺ stabilises the structure of CeO₂ when calcined at high temperature (1000 °C) and minimises sintering. In addition, La³⁺ improves the Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ reduction as deduced from H₂-TPR experiments and favours oxygen mobility into the lattice. A synergetic effect of Pt and La³⁺ is observed, Pt-containing La³⁺-doped CeO₂ being the most active catalyst for soot oxidation by O₂ among the samples studied.     

Effect of alternate CH4-reducing/lean combustion treatments on the reactivity of fresh and S-poisoned Pd/CeO2/Al2O3 catalysts

This work investigates the effect of treatments under different CH₄-containing atmospheres on the reactivity of fresh and S-poisoned 2% w/w Pd/Al₂O₃/CeO₂ catalysts for methane combustion.

Over the fresh catalyst the decomposition/reformation processes of PdO occurring during cycles of CH₄-reducing/lean combustion pulses allowed the complete recovery of activity losses possibly associated with H₂O poisoning which were observed during prolonged exposure under lean combustion conditions. The presence of CeO₂ markedly enhances both the activity losses under lean combustion conditions and the rate of PdO reoxidation/reactivation upon Pd redox cycle.

Under lean combustion conditions, regeneration of catalyst deactivated by exposure to SO₂-containing atmosphere required very high temperatures (above 750 °C) in order to decompose stable sulphate species adsorbed on the support. Treatments consisting of alternate CH₄-reducing/lean combustion pulses allowed a complete recovery of activity at much lower temperatures (550–600 °C) due to the reduction of sulphates by CH₄ activated on the surface of Pd metal. A protecting role of CeO₂ on Pd poisoning due either to exposure to SO₂-containing atmosphere or to spill-back of support sulphates species was also evidenced.     

NOx storage and reduction characteristics of Pd/MnOx–CeO2 at low temperature

The reaction between hydrogen and NO was studied over 1 wt.% Pd supported on NO_x-sorbing material, MnO_x–CeO₂, at low temperatures. The result of pulse mode reactions suggest that NO_x adsorbed as nitrate and/or nitrite on MnO_x–CeO₂ was reduced by hydrogen, which was spilt-over from Pd catalyst. The NO_x storage and reduction (NSR) cycles were carried out over Pd/MnO_x–CeO₂ in a conventional flow reactor at 150 °C. In a storage step, NO was removed by the oxidative adsorption from a stream of 0.04–0.08% NO, 5–10% O₂, and He balance. This was followed by a reducing step, where a stream of 1% H₂/He was supplied to ensure the conversion of nitrate/nitrite to N₂ and thus restore the adsorbability. It was revealed that the NSR cycle is much more suitable for the H₂–deNO_x process in excess O₂, compared to a conventional steady state reaction mode.     

Hydrogen production from ethanol over bimetallic Rh-M/CeO2 (M = Pd or Pt)

The reaction of ethanol for the production of hydrogen has been studied over a series of metal supported CeO₂ catalysts. The study is conducted by TPD, steady state reaction, XPS, TEM, and infrared spectroscopy. TPD gave evidence for the role of Rh in dissociating the carbon–carbon bond needed for efficient production of hydrogen molecules. IR of CO adsorption at 90 K revealed that Rh particles are most likely in very small clusters as evidenced by a single OC–Rh IR band at 2020 cm⁻¹. TEM did not show conclusive evidence for the presence of the metal on-top of the CeO₂ support, yet the Rh-Pd/CeO₂ used catalyst has features that might be attributed to epitaxial growth of the noble metal along the (1 1 1) surface of the CeO₂ support. Considerable reconstruction of the CeO₂ support is seen for the used catalysts, in addition. Reforming of ethanol to hydrogen using (3 moles of water per mole of ethanol) was very efficient particularly above 650 K where hydrogen selectivity reaches 60 vol.%. At these temperatures hydrogen production from reforming of methane takes place.     

Preferential oxidation of CO over CuO/CeO2 and Pt-Co/Al2O3 catalysts in micro-channel reactors

Micro-channel plates with dimension of 1 mm × 0.3 mm × 48 mm were prepared by chemical etching of stainless steel plates followed by wash coating of CeO₂ and Al₂O₃ on the channels. After coating the support on the plate, Pt, Co, and Cu were added to the plate by incipient wetness method. Reaction experiments of a single reactor showed that the micro-channel reactor coated with CuO/CeO₂ catalyst was highly selective for CO oxidation while the one coated with Pt-Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst was highly active for CO oxidation. The 7-layered reactors coated with two different catalysts were prepared by laser welding and the performances of each reactor were tested in large scale of PROX conditions. The multi-layered reactor coated with Pt-Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst was highly active for PROX and the outlet concentration of CO gradually increased with the O₂/CO ratio due to the oxidation of H₂ which maintained the reactor temperature. The multi-layered reactor coated with CuO/CeO₂ showed lower catalytic activity than that coated with Pt catalyst, but its selectivity was not changed with the increase of O₂/CO ratios due to the high selectivity. In order to combine advantages (high activity and high selectivity) of the two individual catalysts (Pt-Co/Al₂O₃, CuO/CeO₂), a serial reactor was prepared by connecting the two multi-layered micro-channel reactors with different catalysts. The prepared serial reactor exhibited excellent performance for PROX.     

Catalytic reduction of NO by CO over NiO/CeO2 catalyst in stoichiometric NO/CO and NO/CO/O2 reaction

A new catalyst composed of nickel oxide and cerium oxide was studied with respect to its activity for NO reduction by CO under stoichiometric conditions in the absence as well as the presence of oxygen. Activity measurements of the NO/CO reaction were also conducted over NiO/γ-Al₂O₃, NiO/TiO₂, and NiO/CeO₂ catalysts for comparison purposes. The results showed that the conversion of NO and CO are dependent on the nature of supports, and the catalysts decreased in activity in the order of NiO/CeO₂ > NiO/γ-Al₂O₃ > NiO/TiO₂. Three kinds of CeO₂ were prepared and used as support for NiO. They are the CeO₂ prepared by (i) homogeneous precipitation (HP), (ii) precipitation (PC), and (iii) direct decomposition (DP) method. We found that the NiO/CeO₂(HP) catalyst was the most active, and complete conversion of NO and CO occurred at 210 °C at a space velocity of 120,000 h⁻¹. Based on the results of surface analysis, a reaction model for NO/CO interaction over NiO/CeO₂ has been proposed: (i) CO reduces surface oxygen to create vacant sites; (ii) on the vacant sites, NO dissociates to produce N₂; and (iii) the oxygen originated from NO dissociation is removed by CO.     

Toluene oxidation on Pd catalysts supported by CeO2–Y2O3 washcoated cordierite honeycomb

A novel CeO₂–Y₂O₃ (CY) washcoat on cordierite honeycomb was prepared by an impregnation method, which was used as a support to prepare a Pd catalyst. A model reaction of the complete combustion of toluene was conducted to evaluate the performance of the developed Pd/CY catalyst. The CY washcoat support and the Pd/CY catalyst were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, H₂-TPR and SEM techniques. The results show that compared with conventional washcoat the CY washcoat has better adhesion and higher vibration- and heat-resistance. The CY washcoat can anchor well Pd onto the cordierite honeycomb substrate. The formation of a CeO₂–Y₂O₃ solid solution and the steady present of PdO occur at high calcination temperatures, resulting in a better thermal stability. On a Pd/CY catalyst calcined at 500 °C, a 99% of toluene conversion was obtained at 210 °C, and it was stable for reaction time up to 30 h.     

CO oxidation on Pd/CeO2–ZrO2 catalysts

The promotive effects of cerium oxide on commercial three-way catalysts (TWCs) for purification of motor exhaust gases have been widely investigated in recent years. This work shows the cooperative effects of CeO₂–Pd on the kinetics of CO oxidation over Pd/CeO₂–ZrO₂. Under reducing-to-moderately oxidizing conditions, a zero-order O₂ pressure dependence is found which can be interpreted on the basis of a mechanism involving a reaction between CO adsorbed on Pd and surface oxygen from the support. The high oxygen-exchange capability of the CeO₂–ZrO₂ support, as determined from temperature-programmed reduction/oxygen uptake measurements is suggested as being responsible for such a catalytic behavior.     

Catalytic reduction of SO2 over supported transition-metal oxide catalysts with C2H4 as a reducing agent

This work investigates performances of supported transition-metal oxide catalysts for the catalytic reduction of SO₂ with C₂H₄ as a reducing agent. Experimental results indicate that the active species, the support, the feed ratio of C₂H₄/SO₂, and pretreatment are all important factors affecting catalyst activity. Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ was found to be the most active catalyst among six γ-Al₂O₃-supported metal oxide catalysts tested. With Fe₂O₃ as the active species, of the supports tested, CeO₂ is the most suitable one. Using this Fe₂O₃/CeO₂ catalyst, we found that the optimal Fe content is 10 wt.%, the optimal feed ratio of C₂H₄/SO₂ is 1:1, and the catalyst presulfidized by H₂+H₂S exhibits a higher performance than those pretreated with H₂ or He. Although the feed concentrations of C₂H₄:SO₂ being 3000:3000 ppm provide a higher conversion of SO₂, the sulfur yield decreases drastically at temperatures above 300 °C. With higher feed concentrations, maximum yield appears at higher temperatures. The C₂H₄ temperature-programmed desorption (C₂H₄-TPD) and SO₂-TPD desorption patterns illustrate that Fe₂O₃/CeO₂ can adsorb and desorb C₂H₄ and SO₂ more easily than can Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃. Moreover, the SO₂-TPD patterns further show that Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ is more seriously inhibited by SO₂. These findings may properly explain why Fe₂O₃/CeO₂ has a higher activity for the reduction of SO₂.     

Catalytic performance of Ni/CeO2/Al2O3 modified with noble metals in steam gasification of biomass

In the steam gasification of biomass, the additive effect of noble metals such as Pt, Pd, Rh and Ru to the Ni/CeO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst was investigated. Among these noble metals, the addition of Pt was most effective even when the loading amount of added Pt was as small as 0.01 wt.%. In addition, the catalyst characterization suggests the formation of the Pt–Ni alloy over the Pt/Ni/CeO₂/Al₂O₃.     

Development of a transient kinetic model for the CO oxidation by O2 over a Pt/Rh/CeO2/γ-Al2O3 three-way catalyst

A transient kinetic model was developed for the CO oxidation by O₂ over a Pt/Rh/CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ three-way catalyst. The experiments which were modelled consisted of periodically switching between a feed stream containing 0.5 mol% CO in helium and a feed stream containing 0.5 mol% O₂ in helium, with a frequency from 0.1 to 0.25 Hz, in the temperature range 393–433 K. These temperatures are representative for cold start conditions. The transient experiments yield information about the reaction mechanism. A transient kinetic model based on elementary reaction steps was developed which describes the experimental data in the above mentioned range of experimental conditions adequately. The kinetic model consists of two monofunctional and one bifunctional contribution. The first monofunctional reaction path comprises competitive adsorption of CO and O₂ on the noble metal surface followed by a surface reaction. The second monofunctional reaction path consists of CO adsorption on an oxygen atom adsorbed on the noble metal surface, followed by a reaction to CO₂. The bifunctional reaction path involves a reaction between CO adsorbed on the noble metal surface and oxygen from ceria at the noble metal/ceria interface. Also, reversible adsorption of carbon dioxide on the support is taken into account. The kinetic parameters, i.e. preexponential factors and activation energies for the different elementary reaction steps, and the oxygen storage capacity were estimated using multi-response non-linear regression analysis of the oxygen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide outlet concentrations.     

Potential rare-earth modified CeO2 catalysts for soot oxidation part II: Characterisation and catalytic activity with NO + O2

Ceria (CeO₂) and rare-earth modified ceria (CeReO_x with Re = La³⁺, Pr^3+/4+, Sm³⁺, Y³⁺) supports and Pt impregnated supports are studied for the soot oxidation under a loose contact with the catalyst with the feed gas, containing NO + O₂. The catalysts are characterised by XRD, H₂-TPR, DRIFT and Raman spectroscopy. Among the single component oxides, CeO₂ is significantly more active compared with the other lanthanide oxides used in this study. Doping CeO₂ with Pr^3+/4+ and La³⁺ improved, however, the soot oxidation activity of the resulting solid solutions. This improvement is correlated with the surface area in the case of CeLaO_x and to the surface area and redox properties of CePrO_x catalyst. The NO conversion to NO₂ over these catalysts is responsible for the soot oxidation activity. If the activity per unit surface area is compared CePrO_x is the most active one. This indicates that though La³⁺ can stabilise the surface area of the catalyst in fact it decreases the soot oxidation activity of Ce⁴⁺. The lattice oxygen participates in NO conversion to NO₂ and the rate of this lattice oxygen transfer is much faster on CePrO_x. In general, the improvement of the soot oxidation is observed over the Pt impregnated CeO₂ and CeReO_x catalysts, and can be correlated to the presence of Pt°. The surface reduction of the supports in the presence of Pt occurred below 100 °C. The surface redox properties of the support in the Pt catalysts do not have a significant role in the NO to NO₂ conversion. In spite of the lower surface area, the Pt/CeYO_x and Pt/CeO₂ catalysts are found to be more active due to larger Pt crystal sizes. The presence of Pt also improved the CO conversion to CO₂ over these catalysts. The activation energy for the soot oxidation with NO + O₂ is found to be around 50 kJ/mol.     

Lean NOx reduction with CO + H2 mixtures over Pt/Al2O3 and Pd/Al2O3 catalysts

The reduction of NO_x by hydrogen under lean burn conditions over Pt/Al₂O₃ is strongly poisoned by carbon monoxide. This is due to the strong adsorption and subsequent high coverage of CO, which significantly increases the temperature required to initiate the reaction. Even relatively small concentrations of CO dramatically reduce the maximum NO_x conversions achievable. In contrast, the presence of CO has a pronounced promoting influence in the case of Pd/Al₂O₃. In this case, although pure H₂ and pure CO are ineffective for NO_x reduction under lean burn conditions, H₂/CO mixtures are very effective. With a realistic (1:3) H₂:CO ratio, typical of actual exhaust gas, Pd/Al₂O₃ is significantly more active than Pt/Al₂O₃, delivering 45% NO_x conversion at 160 °C, compared to >15% for Pt/Al₂O₃ under identical conditions. The nature of the support is also critically important, with Pd/Al₂O₃ being much more active than Pd/SiO₂. Possible mechanisms for the improved performance of Pd/Al₂O₃ in the presence of H₂+CO are discussed.     

Role of CeO2 in Ni/CeO2–Al2O3 catalysts for carbon dioxide reforming of methane

Ni catalysts supported on γ-Al₂O₃, CeO₂ and CeO₂–Al₂O₃ systems were tested for catalytic CO₂ reforming of methane into synthesis gas. Ni/CeO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts showed much better catalytic performance than either CeO₂- or γ-Al₂O₃-supported Ni catalysts. CeO₂ as a support for Ni catalysts produced a strong metal–support interaction (SMSI), which reduced the catalytic activity and carbon deposition. However, CeO₂ had positive effect on catalytic activity, stability, and carbon suppression when used as a promoter in Ni/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts for this reaction. A weight loading of 1–5 wt% CeO₂ was found to be the optimum. Ni catalysts with CeO₂ promoters reduced the chemical interaction between nickel and support, resulting in an increase in reducibility and stronger dispersion of nickel. The stability and less coking on CeO₂-promoted catalysts are attributed to the oxidative properties of CeO₂.     

Potential rare earth modified CeO2 catalysts for soot oxidation: I. Characterisation and catalytic activity with O2

Ceria (CeO₂) and rare-earth modified ceria (CeReO_x with Re = La, Pr, Sm, Y) catalysts are prepared by nitrate precursor calcination and are characterised by BET surface area, XRD, H₂-TPR, and Raman spectroscopy. Potential of the catalysts in the soot oxidation is evaluated in TGA with a feed gas containing O₂. Seven hundred degree Celsius calcination leads to a decrease in the surface area of the rare-earth modified CeO₂ compared with CeO₂. However, an increase in the meso/macro pore volume, an important parameter for the soot oxidation with O₂, is observed. Rare-earth ion doping led to the stabilisation of the CeO₂ surface area when calcined at 1000 °C. XRD, H₂-TPR, and Raman characterisation show a solid solution formation in most of the mixed oxide catalysts. Surface segregation of dopant and even separate phases, in CeSmO_x and CeYO_x catalysts, are, however, observed. CePrO_x and CeLaO_x catalysts show superior soot oxidation activity (100% soot oxidation below 550 °C) compared with CeSmO_x, CeYO_x, and CeO₂. The improved soot oxidation activity of rare-earth doped CeO₂ catalysts with O₂ can be correlated with the increased meso/micro pore volume and stabilisation of external surface area. The segregation of the phases and the enrichment of the catalyst surface with unreducible dopant decrease the intrinsic soot oxidation activity of the potential CeO₂ catalytic sites. Doping CeO₂ with a reducible ion such as Pr^4+/3+ shows an increase in the soot oxidation. However, the ease of catalyst reduction and the bulk oxygen-storage capacity is not a critical parameter in the determination of the soot oxidation activity. During the soot oxidation with O₂, the function of the catalyst is to increase the ‘active oxygen’ transfer to the soot surface, but it does not change the rate-determining step, as evident from the unchanged apparent activation energy (around 150 kJ mol⁻¹), for the catalysed and un-catalysed soot oxidation. Spill over of oxygen on the soot surface and its subsequent adsorption at the active carbon sites is an important intermediate step in the soot oxidation mechanism.