Preparation and Methanol Decomposition Activity of RutheniumSupported Ce-Doped Mesoporous TiO2 Oxide

Mesoporous TiO2-CeO2 mixed oxide(m-TiO2-CeO2) were synthesized using n-cetylpyridinium chloride (C16PyCl) as a structure-directing agent under the neutral conditions and room temperature. The synthesized mesoporous samples were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, and N2 adsorption BET methods. The incorporation of Ce3+ ions into the channel wall improves the stability of the mesoporous structure obviously. After ruthenium being loaded by the impregnating method, the Ru particle strongly interacts with the mesoporous mixed supports. Although a part of the particles are possible to block the support pores, the catalytic activity of ruthenium supported on the m-TiO2-CeO2 for methanol decomposition to carbon monoxide and hydrogen is significantly higher than that of ruthenium supported on m-TiO2. A synergistic effect between CeO2 and TiO2 was observed for promoting the catalytic properties of Ru.