Superior performance of multi-wall carbon nanotubes as support of Pt-based catalysts for the preferential CO oxidation: Effect of ceria addition

Preferential oxidation of CO in excess hydrogen (PROX) was studied over Pt catalysts supported on multi-wall carbon nanotubes in the temperature range between room temperature and the temperature of the water–gas shift unit (∼473 K). Experimental results show that the Pt/CNT catalyst exhibit a superior performance in terms of catalytic activity and selectivity towards CO2 formation compared to a Pt/AC catalyst prepared under similar conditions. Apparently, preferential CO oxidation in excess hydrogen over Pt nanoparticles supported on carbon materials is a particle size dependent reaction, i.e. larger particles exhibit higher activity and selectivity. In any case, the incorporation of oxygen functionalities to the carbon support becomes detrimental for the CO oxidation reaction independently of the carbon support used. Finally, CeO2 addition to the Pt/CNT catalyst further improves both catalytic activity and selectivity at low temperatures (CO conversion rate of 46% at 313 K), the catalytic performance being superior to that exhibited by a traditional PROX catalyst such as Pt/CeO2.

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► Pt/CNT and Pt/AC catalysts have been compared in the preferential oxidation of CO.
► Large Pt nanoparticles improve both catalytic activity and selectivity towards CO2.
► Incorporation of oxygen functionalities to the carbon support becomes detrimental.
► Pt/CeO2/CNT catalysts overpass the catalytic behaviour reported for Pt/CeO2 catalysts.