CO preferential oxidation reaction aspects in a nanocrystalline CuO/CeO2 catalyst

Low-Temperature Methane Activation Reaction Pathways over Mechanochemically-Generated Ce4+/Cu+ Interfacial Sites

Methane is a valuable resource and its valorization is an important challenge in heterogeneous catalysis. Here it is shown that CeO2/CuO composite prepared by ball milling activates methane at a temperature as low as 250 °C. In contrast to conventionally prepared catalysts, the formation of partial oxidation products such as methanol and formaldehyde is also observed. Through an in situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and operando Near Edge X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy (NEXAFS) approach, it can be established that this unusual reactivity can be attributed to the presence of Ce4+/Cu+ interfaces generated through a redox exchange between Ce3+ and Cu2+ atoms facilitated by the mechanical energy supplied during milling. DFT modeling of the electronic properties confirms the existence of a charge transfer mechanism. These results demonstrate the effectiveness and distinctiveness of the mechanical approach in creating unique and resilient interfaces thereby enabling the optimization and refining of CeO2/CuO catalysts in methane activation reactions.

Enhanced Activity for CO Preferential Oxidation over CuO Catalysts Supported on Nanosized CeO2 with High Surface Area and Defects

Nanosizedceria (n-CeO2) was synthesized by a facile method in 2-methylimidazolesolution. The characterization results of XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, Raman and TEM indicate that n-CeO2 shows a regular size of 10 ± 1 nm, a high surface area of 130 m2·g−1 and oxygen vacancies on the surface. A series of CuO/n-CeO2 catalysts (CuCeOX) with different copper loading were prepared for the preferential oxidation of CO in H2-rich gases (CO-PROX). All CuCeOX catalysts exhibit a high catalytic activity due to the excellent structural properties of n-CeO2, over which the 100% conversion of CO is obtained at 120 °C. The catalytic activity of CuCeOX catalysts increases in the order of CuCeO12 < CuCeO3 < CuCeO6 < CuCeO9. It is in good agreement with the order of the amount of active Cu+ species, Ce3+ species and oxygen vacancies on these catalysts, suggesting that the strength of interaction between highly dispersed CuO species and n-CeO2 is the decisive factor for the activity. The stronger interaction results in the formation of more readily reducible copper species on CuCeO9, which shows the highest activity with high stability and the broadest temperature “window” for complete CO conversion (120–180 °C).