Hydroxyls on CeO₂ Support Promoting CuO/CeO₂ Catalyst for Efficient CO Oxidation and NO Reduction by CO

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Environmental Chemistry

Background:

• Noble metal catalysts are expensive for emission control.
• Transition metal catalysts, like copper oxide (CuO), offer a cost-effective alternative.
• Cerium dioxide (CeO2) is a widely used catalyst support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel CuO/CeO2 catalyst using a hydroxyl-rich Ce(OH)2 support.
• To evaluate its efficacy in carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation and nitrogen oxide (NO) reduction by CO.
• To elucidate the role of hydroxyl species in the support on catalytic performance.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of CuO/CeO2 catalysts using hydroxyl-rich Ce(OH)2 and regular CeO2 supports.
• Characterization of catalyst physicochemical properties.
• Testing catalytic activity for CO oxidation and NO reduction by CO under various conditions.

Main Results:

• The CuO/CeO2-OH catalyst exhibited significantly higher activity compared to the catalyst from regular CeO2.
• Abundant OH species enhanced CuO dispersion, CuO-CeO2 interfaces, and surface defects.
• Improved oxygen activation/mobility and enhanced NO adsorption/dissociation were observed.

Conclusions:

• Hydroxyl-rich Ce(OH)2 is a superior support for preparing highly efficient CuO catalysts.
• The catalyst demonstrates excellent performance for CO oxidation and NO reduction by CO.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for developing advanced catalysts for emission control.