Low Temperature NO and CO Conversion with a Mechanistic Approach on Ru-Composed Cerium Oxide

Catalytic reduction of NO with CO at a lower temperature is an extremely challenging task, thus requiring conceivable surfaces to overcome such issues. Ru-substituted CeO2 catalysts prepared via the solution combustion method were employed in CO oxidation and NO–CO conversion studies. The characterization for material formation and surface structure was carried out through XRD, SEM, TEM, and BET surface area. The catalytic study revealed the promising behavior of 5% Ru in CeO2 for the 100% conversion of NO–CO at 150 °C, proving it to be an excellent exhaust material. These observed results are also supported by temperature-programmed studies, i.e. TPD of NO and CO in addition to NH3-TPD and H2-TPR for their convincible surface interaction that is inclined toward a significant change in the conversion path. Additionally, the proposed mechanism, based on the experimental evidence, sheds light on the NO–CO redox reaction, directing the reaction pathway toward the Langmuir–Hinshelwood and Mars-Van Krevelen-type route. Moreover, the exceptional performance can be attributed to the strategic incorporation of Ru in CeO2, where the strong interaction of Ru–Ce is able to gain a high synergy for NO and CO conversion.