Effect of zirconium addition on the structure and properties of CuO/CeO2 catalysts for high-temperature water–gas shift in an IGCC system

A series of CexZr1−xO2-based Cu catalysts was synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The influences of copper content, zirconium addition, and ratio of ceria to zirconia on the catalytic activity were investigated. BET, N2O decomposition, XRD, TEM, SEM, EDS, Raman spectroscopy, H2-TPR, TG/DTA, and XPS were used to characterize the catalysts. The catalytic activity was tested in terms of CO conversion and H2 selectivity in H2-rich coal-derived synthesis gas, simulating the actual gas composition of an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) system. The long-term catalyst stability was also examined at 450 °C for 196 h. The addition of zirconium was found to be very important in enhancing catalytic performance. The surface area, copper dispersion, oxygen storage and mobility capacity, reducibility, as well as resistance to sintering all improved after zirconium addition.

► Microporous CuO/CexZr1−xO2 catalyst was synthesized by co-precipitation method.
► Zirconium doping can raise oxygen storage capacity and reducibility of catalyst.
► Zirconium addition can enhance catalytic stability of CuO/CeO2 catalyst.