CeFeO(3)–CeO(2)–Fe(2)O(3) Systems: Synthesis by Solution Combustion Method and Catalytic Performance in CO(2) Hydrogenation

Rare-earth orthoferrites have found wide application in thermocatalytic reduction-oxidation processes. Much less attention has been paid, however, to the production of CeFeO(3), as well as to the study of its physicochemical and catalytic properties, in particular, in the promising process of CO(2) utilization by hydrogenation to CO and hydrocarbons. This study presents the results of a study on the synthesis of CeFeO(3) by solution combustion synthesis (SCS) using various fuels, fuel-to-oxidizer ratios, and additives. The SCS products were characterized by XRD, FTIR, N(2)-physisorption, SEM, DTA–TGA, and H(2)-TPR. It has been established that glycine provides the best yield of CeFeO(3), while the addition of NH(4)NO(3) promotes an increase in the amount of CeFeO(3) by 7–12 wt%. In addition, the synthesis of CeFeO(3) with the participation of NH(4)NO(3) makes it possible to surpass the activity of the CeO(2)–Fe(2)O(3) system at low temperatures (300–400 °C), as well as to increase selectivity to hydrocarbons. The observed effects are due to the increased gas evolution and ejection of reactive FeO(x) nanoparticles on the surface of crystallites, and an increase in the surface defects. CeFeO(3) obtained in this study allows for achieving higher CO(2) conversion compared to LaFeO(3) at 600 °C.