Catalytic screening of Au/CeO2-MOx/Al2O3 catalysts (M = La, Ni, Cu, Fe, Cr, Y) in the CO-PrOx reaction

Abstract

In this work, a series of Au/CeO2-MOx/Al2O3 catalysts has been prepared and evaluated in the PrOx reaction. Within the series of dopants Fe and Cu containing samples enhanced the catalytic performance of the parent Au/CeO2/Al2O3 catalyst being copper the most efficient promoter. For both samples an enhanced oxygen storage capacity (OSC) is registered and accounts for the high CO oxidation activity. More particularly, the Au/CeO2-CuOx/Al2O3 catalyst successfully withstands the inclusion of water in the PrOx stream and presents good results in terms of CO elimination. However to achieve a good selectivity toward CO2 formation properly adjusting of the reaction parameters, such as oxygen concentration and space velocity is needed. Within the whole screened series the Cu-containing catalyst can be considered as the most interesting alternative for H2 clean-up applications.