A catalytically active oxide support in combination with metal catalysts is required in order to achieve better low temperature activity and selectivity. Here, we report that CeO2 nanorods with a superior surface oxygen release/storage capability were used as an active support of transition metal (TM) catalysts (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) for CO oxidation reaction. The as-prepared CeO2 nanorods supported 10 wt% TM catalysts were highly active for CO oxidation at low temperature, except for the Fe sample. It is found that the 10%Cu-CeO2 catalyst performed best, and it provided a lower light-off temperature with T50 (50% conversion) at 75 °C and T100 (100% conversion) of CO to CO2 at 194 °C. The atomic level surface structure of CeO2 nanorods was investigated in order to understand the improved low temperature catalytic activity. The richness of surface roughness and various defects (voids, lattice distortion, bending, steps, twinning) on CeO2 nanorods could facilitate oxygen release and storage. According to XRD and Raman analysis, copper species migrate into the bulk CeO2 nanorods to a greater degree. Since CO adsorbed over the surface of the catalyst/support is detrimental to its catalytic activity, the surface defects on the CeO2 nanorods and CeO2-TM interactions were critical to the enhanced activity.

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