Hydrothermal Synthesis and Acidic Catalytic Activity of Nanometer Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 Solid Solution

Nanometer Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 solid solution was prepared by hydrothermal method, using cerous nitrate and zirconium nitrate and hydrazine hydrate as raw materials at 250 °C for 24h. The product was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman scattering spectrum, transmission microscopy (TEM) and infrared spectra (IR). Furthermore, its catalytic activity was measured in the synthesis of n-butyl acetate by the reaction of acetic acid and n-butyl alcohol. The XRD pattern and Raman scattering spectrum show that the sample formed homogeneous solid solution with CeO2 cubic structure. The TEM observation indicates that the as-synthesized Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 solid solution has the particle diameter less than 50 nm. In the esterification reaction, Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 solid solution possess high catalytic activity and can be easily separated from reaction liquid. According to Tanabe rules, its catalytic mechanism belongs to proton acid catalysis.