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Activation of Au/TiO2 catalyst for CO oxidation
Jeff H Yang1, Juan D Henao, Mpfunzeni C Raphulu
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, USA.
The gold/titanium dioxide catalyst requires an activation process involving reduction of gold species. Metallic gold is essential for effective carbon monoxide oxidation catalysis at low temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Gold catalysts supported on titanium dioxide (Au/TiO2) are promising for various chemical reactions.
- Understanding the activation process is crucial for optimizing catalyst performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in a Au/TiO2 catalyst during activation.
- To correlate the activation process with catalytic activity for CO oxidation.
Main Methods:
- X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS)
- Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
- Microcalorimetry
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
Main Results:
- Catalyst activation via H2 or CO pulses showed an induction period followed by reduction of Au(3+) to Au(0).
- CO oxidation activity at 195 K increased with reduction up to 70% and slightly decreased beyond 80%.
- Metallic gold (Au(0)) was identified as the active species for CO oxidation.
Conclusions:
- The activation of Au/TiO2 involves a complex reduction process.
- Optimal catalytic activity for CO oxidation is achieved at a specific degree of gold reduction.
- Metallic gold is a key component for low-temperature CO oxidation on TiO2 supports.
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