Low-temperature water–gas shift reaction over supported Cu catalysts

• The LT–WGS has been carried out at a very high GHSV of 36,201 h−1.
• The preparation method was optimized to get a highly active Cu/CeO2 for LT-WGS.
• Co-precipitated Cu–CeO2 exhibited excellent catalytic performance.
• This is due to easier reducibility, high surface area and the nano-sized CeO2.

The low-temperature water–gas shift (WGS) reaction has been carried out at a very high gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 36,201 h−1 over supported Cu catalysts prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method. The preparation method was optimized to get a highly active CeO2 supported Cu catalyst for low-temperature WGS. Co-precipitated Cu–CeO2 exhibited excellent catalytic performance as well as 100% CO2 selectivity. The high activity and stability of co-precipitated Cu–CeO2 catalyst is correlated to its easier reducibility, high surface area and the nano-sized CeO2 with CuO species interacting with the support.