Experimental study of CeO2 after hydrothermal aging on emission characteristics of carbon black oxidation process

The CeO2 catalyst is commonly utilized in diesel particulate filter (DPF) to promote soot regeneration. It is necessary to give a particular attention to the performance of hydrothermal aging and the effect on DPF regeneration characteristics. Based on the fixed-bed test bench, the gas and particle emission characteristics of carbon black (PU) oxidation following hydrothermal aging and sieving treatment of CeO2 are investigated under a 3% water concentration condition. CeO2 is subjected to characterization and analysis combined with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy (ESR), X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the addition of fresh CeO2 proves beneficial in improving the oxidation efficiency (η) of PU, reducing CO emission and the total average particle number (PN). Meanwhile, CO2 emission rapidly increases. After hydrothermal aging, the average catalyst size and agglomeration degree of CeO2 increase, resulting in an increase in lattice defects and bulk oxygen vacancies (VO-b). The reduction of surface oxygen vacancies (VO-s) plays a dominant role in the catalytic oxidation process of PU, leading to a decrease in η and CO2 emission, while CO increase; And the contact mode between CeO2 and PU, as well as alterations in the microstructure of CeO2, consequently contributing to hindering particle movement and reducing total PN. Furthermore, the sieving treatment of catalyst increases particle emission, but significantly promotes the η and reduces harmful gas CO. This research establishes a theoretical and experimental foundation for enhancing the hydrothermal stability of catalysts and controlling particle emission at the DPF outlet.