Influence of Oxidizing Atmosphere on Crystalline Phase Formation and Microstructural Properties of Mixed Cerium-Zinc Oxides Obtained by Polymeric Precursor Method

Abstract

This paper presents the synthesis, characterization and influence of oxidizing atmosphere in the calcinations and sintering processes on microstructural properties of mixed oxides of Cerium and Zinc, obtained by the polymeric precursor method, aiming at a subsequent catalytic application. The material was submitted to calcinations and sintering at 900 and 1050 °C. The samples were characterized by XRD analysis techniques, surface area by BET method and refined by the Rietveld method. The results of X-ray diffraction showed that interest phase was formed, indicating that the method for obtaining the phase is effective. The results of surface area for the system calcined in air were 85 m2/g and 65 m2/g for the system subjected to oxidizing atmosphere both at 900°C, in the same temperature. It was observed that the temperature increase leads to an increase in crystallite size. This fact is in line with other studies in the literature.