Nanocomposite copper-ceria catalysts are provided, which comprise
copper oxide nanoparticles,
copper nanoparticles, or a mixture thereof combined with ceria nanoparticles. Methods for making such catalysts are also provided, which involve the steps of (i) combining ceria nanoparticles in an
aqueous suspension with copper 2,4-pentanedionate to form a
slurry; (ii) heating the
slurry formed in step (i) under an
inert gas
atmosphere or an
oxygen-
argon atmosphere, at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause
decomposition of the copper 2,4-pentanedionate to form copper nanoparticles and / or
copper oxide nanoparticles that are combined with the ceria nanoparticles; and (iii) optionally, subjecting the product formed in step (ii) to a heat treatment process under conditions effective to convert at least some of the copper nanoparticles to
copper oxide nanoparticles. The
nanocomposite copper-ceria catalysts are useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature
catalysis, such as the oxidation of
carbon monoxide, the reduction of
nitric oxide and the conversion of hydrocarbons. The
nanocomposite copper-ceria catalysts have a variety of potential applications, for example,
in vehicle exhaust emission systems of automobiles and diesel engines, cold starting of automobile engine,
fuel cells, lasers,
hydrocarbon conversion reactors, air filters for the conversion of
carbon monoxide and / or indoor volatile organic compounds, and smoking articles.