title: Template-assisted formation of microsized nanocrystalline CeO(2) tubes and their catalytic performance in the carboxylation of methanol.
abstract: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/ceria composite fibres were synthesized by using a sequential combination of polymer electrospinning, spray-coating with a sol, and a final calcination step to yield microstructured ceria tubes, which are composed of nanocrystalline ceria particles. The PMMA template is removed from the organic/inorganic hybrid material by radio frequency (rf) plasma etching followed by calcination of the ceramic green-body fibres. Microsized ceria (CeO(2)) tubes, with a diameter of ca. 0.75 µm, composed of nanocrystalline agglomerated ceria particles were thus obtained. The 1-D ceramic ceria material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), UV-vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Its catalytic performance was studied in the direct carboxylation of methanol with carbon dioxide leading to dimethyl carbonate [(CH(3)O)(2)CO, DMC], which is widely employed as a phosgene and dimethyl sulfate substitute, and as well as a fuel additive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Eduard-Zintl-Institute, Inorganic Chemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Petersenstr. 18, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Meike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naumann
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brandner
authors.forename: Heiko J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Claus