CuO–CeO2 catalysts synthesized in one-step: Characterization and PROX performance

PEM fuel cells seem to be the most affordable and commercially viable hydrogen-based cells, the biggest challenge being to obtain CO-free H2 (<100 ppm) as the fuel. In this study, the use of CuO–CeO2 catalysts in preferential oxidation of CO to obtain CO-free H2 (PROX reaction) was investigated. Ce1−xCuxO2 catalysts, with x (mol%) = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.10, were synthesized in one-step by the polymeric precursor method, to obtain a very fine dispersion and strong metal-support interaction, to favor active copper species and a preference for the PROX reaction. The results obtained from catalyzed reactions and characterization of the catalysts by XRD, Rietveld refinement, BET surface area, UV–Vis and TPR, suggest that this one-step synthesis method gives rise to catalysts with copper species selective for the PROX reaction, which reaches a maximum rate on Ce0.97Cu0.03O2 catalyst.

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► Synthesis of CuO/CeO2 catalysts by the one-step polymeric precursor method.
► 100% CO conversion on Ce0.97Cu0.03O2 catalyst.
►  Monomeric surface and dipolar Cu2+ are responsible for the improved CO conversion.