Redox-catalytic correlations in oxidised copper-ceria CO-PROX catalysts

Four nanostructured oxidised copper-cerium catalysts prepared by two different methods (impregnation of ceria and coprecipitation of the two components within reverse microemulsions) with varying copper loadings have been examined with the aim of establishing correlations between redox and catalytic properties for preferential oxidation of CO in H-2-rich streams. The analysis is based on ex situ TPR examination both with H-2 or CO as well as operando spectroscopic exploration by DRIFTS and XANES, additionally complemented by conventional catalytic tests. The results reveal redox promoting effects on copper oxide reduction and allow establishing a model of the catalytic behaviour of this type of catalysts which can provide keys to control their CO-PROX catalytic properties. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.