CuO–CeO2 catalysts synthesized in one-step: Characterization and PROX performance

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 37; no. 7; pp. 5498 - 5507
• Main Authors: Araújo, V.D., Bellido, J.D.A., Bernardi, M.I.B., Assaf, J.M., Assaf, E.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Catalysis; CATALYSTS; Chemistry; CuO–CeO2; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; General and physical chemistry; Hydrogen; Polymeric precursor method; PROX; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; CuO–CeO2; Hydrogen; PROX; Polymeric precursor method; CuO-CeO
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.12.143

PEM fuel cells seem to be the most affordable and commercially viable hydrogen-based cells, the biggest challenge being to obtain CO-free H2 (<100 ppm) as the fuel. In this study, the use of CuO–CeO2 catalysts in preferential oxidation of CO to obtain CO-free H2 (PROX reaction) was investigated. Ce1−xCuxO2 catalysts, with x (mol%) = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.10, were synthesized in one-step by the polymeric precursor method, to obtain a very fine dispersion and strong metal-support interaction, to favor active copper species and a preference for the PROX reaction. The results obtained from catalyzed reactions and characterization of the catalysts by XRD, Rietveld refinement, BET surface area, UV–Vis and TPR, suggest that this one-step synthesis method gives rise to catalysts with copper species selective for the PROX reaction, which reaches a maximum rate on Ce0.97Cu0.03O2 catalyst.
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► Synthesis of CuO/CeO2 catalysts by the one-step polymeric precursor method. ► 100% CO conversion on Ce0.97Cu0.03O2 catalyst. ► Monomeric surface and dipolar Cu2+ are responsible for the improved CO conversion.