Synthesis of mesoporous Co–Ce oxides catalysts by glycine-nitrate combustion approach for CO preferential oxidation reaction in excess H2

• Co/CeO2 catalysts were synthesized by the glycine-nitrate combustion method.
• Catalyst achieved almost 100% conversion at 150 °C without H2O and CO2.
• The combustion method strengthen the Co–Ce interaction.

Preferential oxidation of CO (CO-PrOx) is an important step to meet the need of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell without the Pt anion poison. A glycine-nitrate approach was used for the synthesis of Co/CeO2 nanoparticle for preferential oxidation of CO, which a precursor solution was prepared by mixing glycine with an aqueous solution of blended nitrate in stoichiometric ratio. Then the glycine-mixed precursor solution was heated in a beaker for producing nanosized porous powders. Catalytic properties of the powders were investigated and results illustrate that the Co-loading of 30 wt.% catalysts exhibits excellent catalytic properties. Various characterization techniques like X-ray diffraction, SEM, BET, Raman and TPR were used to analyze the relationship between catalyst nature and catalytic performance. The X-ray diffraction patterns and SEM micrographs indicate that catalysts prepared by glycine-nitrate combustion own mesopore structure. The BET, Raman and TPR results showed that the high activity of the 30 wt.% Co-loading of Co/CeO2 catalysts is related to the high BET surface and the strongly interaction between fine-dispersed Co species and CeO2 support.