Effect of Structure and Reduction Upon the Surface Chemistry of Acetaldehyde On CeO2 Nanoshapes

CeO2 is a fascinating oxide catalyst because of its reducibility and activity in catalytically converting oxygenates.  Uniformly shaped CeO2 nanoshapes offer an opportunity to learn how the structure of a CeO2 surface alters catalytic selectivity.  We have explored how acetaldehyde and ethanol react and transform depending upon structure and reduction.