Preferential oxidation of CO in excess H2 over the CeO2/CuO catalyst: Effect of initial support

Three series of CeO2/CuO samples were prepared by impregnation method and characterized by XRD, N-2 adsorption-desorption, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), XPS and TEM techniques. In comparison with the samples prepared with CuO as initial support, the samples with Cu(OH)(2) as initial support have higher reducibilities and smaller relative TPR peak areas, and also larger specific surface areas at calcination temperatures of 400 degrees C-600 degrees C. As a result, Cu(OH)(2) is better than CuO as initial support for preferential oxidation of CO in excess H-2 (CO-PROX). The best catalytic performance was achieved on the sample calcined at 600 degrees C and with an atomic ratio of Ce/Cu at 40%. XPS analyses indicate that more interfce linkages Ce-O-Cu could be formed when it was calcined at 600 degrees C. And the atomic ratio of Ce/Cu at 40% led to a proper reducibility for the sample as illustrated by the TPR measurements.