Defect Chemistry of Ceria Nanorods

Ceria nanorods were investigated using in situ Raman and FTIR spectroscopies for CO adsorption and subsequent reaction with water at 200 and 350 degrees C. The involvement of defects in ceria nanorods during CO adsorption and reaction with H2O is dependent on the temperature. At 200 degrees C, most of the carbonate and formate species formed in CO do not involve the formation of defects, while at 350 degrees C all of the carbonates and formates formed can be correlated to the formation of defects (15% by formates and 85% by mono/bidentate carbonates). Finally, at 350 degrees C very stable polydentate carbonates are formed that do not induce defects and cannot be regenerated with water.