Inverse CeO2/CuO catalysts prepared by different precipitants for preferential CO oxidation in hydrogen-rich streams

Abstract

The inverse CeO2/CuO catalysts were prepared by different precipitants, and characterized via XRD, ICP, SEM, H2-TPR, Raman, TEM and N2 adsorption–desorption techniques. The study showed that the inverse CeO2/CuO configurations were formed and copper is mainly present in the form of bulk CuO in the as-synthesized catalysts. It was found that the length of the contact interface between CeO2 and CuO was closely associated with the crystal size of CeO2 and CuO. The CeO2/CuO catalysts using urea, NaOH and TMAH (tetramethylammonium hydroxide) as precipitants presented a better catalytic performance for CO oxidation below 185 °C in the hydrogen-rich streams due to some amount of copper–ceria interfacial sites in the catalysts.