Influence of pretreatment atmospheres on the activity of Au/CeO2 catalyst for low-temperature CO oxidation

Au/CeO2 catalyst was prepared via a deposition–precipitation method and further pretreated in different atmospheres prior to CO oxidation. A reductive atmosphere pretreatment slightly improved the low-temperature activity of Au/CeO2. The greatest activity was achieved when Au/CeO2 catalyst was subjected to an oxidative atmosphere followed by a reductive atmosphere pretreatment. Analysis using XRD, TEM and nitrogen sorption measurement showed that pretreatment retains the crystal phase, morphology and pore structure of CeO2. However, there was a change in the interaction between gold species and CeO2 support, as revealed by H2-TPR measurement.

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► Pretreatment atmospheres can affect the activity of Au/CeO2 catalysts.
► The catalyst pretreated under an oxidative atmosphere achieved a greatest activity.
► Reductive atmosphere pretreatment slightly improved the low temperature activity.
► The interaction of Au and support CeO2 was demonstrated by H2-TPR.