Phase Transfer Ceria-Supported Nanocatalyst for Nitrile Hydration Reaction.

The present study elaborates the catalytic effect of rare-earth metal oxides (Sm(2)O(3) and La(2)O(3)) over ceria as a support phase transfer catalyst. The synthesized catalysts have been subjected to different characterization techniques, such as field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, N(2) adsorption-desorption (BET surface analysis), temperature-programmed desorption study (NH(3)/CO(2)-TPD), Fourier transform infrared, Raman analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to get better insights into the catalytic activity of the catalysts for hydration of nitrile.