Abstract:The structure and catalytic desulfurization characteristics of CeO₂-TiO₂ mixed oxides were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and catalytic activity tests. According to the results, a CeO₂-TiO₂ solid solution is formed when the mole ratio of cerium to titanium n(Ce):n(Ti) is 5:5 or greater, and the most suitable n(Ce):n(Ti) is determined as 7:3, over which the conversion rate of SO₂ and the yield of sulfur at 500 °C reach 93% and 99%, respectively. According to the activity testing curve, Ce_0.7Ti_0.3O₂ (n(Ce):n(Ti)=7:3) without any pretreatment can be gradually activated by reagent gas after about 10 min, and reaches a steady activation status 60 min later. The XPS results of Ce_0.7Ti_0.3O₂ after different time of SO₂+CO reaction show that CeO₂ is the active component that offers the redox couple Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ and the labile oxygen vacancies, and TiO₂ only functions as a catalyst structure stabilizer during the catalytic reaction process. After 48 h of catalytic reaction at 500 °C, Ce_0.7Ti_0.3O₂ still maintains a stable structure without being vulcanized, demonstrating its good anti-sulfur poisoning performance.

Key words: CeO₂-TiO₂ mixed oxides; solid solution; catalytic reduction; carbon monoxide; sulfur dioxide