Abstract
This study outlines the synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles, their characterization and their activity in the oxidation of methanol. A simple and easy co-precipitation method was used for the preparation of cerium oxide, without any added surfactants. The physicochemical properties of the sample were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology and size of the catalyst was studied using SEM. EDX confirms the element content of the synthesized cerium oxide. The structure of CeO2 was confirmed using XRD. Thus, the reported CeO2 was an active catalyst for methanol oxidation to form formaldehyde at a temperature range of 523-753K in the gas phase. At 753K, the cerium oxide catalyst gave 53% formaldehyde selectivity, 57% methanol conversion and 31% formaldehyde yields.