Electronic Configurations Effect of Ceria Nanowire-Based Catalysts for Efficient CO Oxidation

Introducing transition metal elements is a powerful strategy to tailor the electrochemical properties of ceria nanostructures. However, the electronic configuration effect is still ambiguous. Herein, a series of ultrathin nanowire-based catalysts, Ce 1– x M x O 2 (M = Cu, Fe, Co, and Ni), have been precisely synthesized, showing the lowered complete reaction temperatures (T 100 ) and enhanced catalytic efficiencies for efficient CO oxidation. Theoretical calculations elucidate that transition metals facilitate the catalytic process by weakening metal–oxygen bonds during CO adsorption and strengthening them during CO 2 desorption. The higher the saturation extent of 3 d electrons, the stronger the promotion effect of the transition elements on CO oxidation. Therefore, the present work reveals the significance of the electronic configuration effect on transition metal-doped ceria nanomaterials, which contributes to developing superior catalysts for highly efficient CO oxidation.