High catalytic activity in CO PROX reaction of low cobalt-oxide loading catalysts supported on nano-particulate CeO2–ZrO2 oxides

Co3O4/NP-ZrO2, Co3O4/NP-CeO2 and Co3O4/NP-Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalysts were prepared via a reverse microemulsion/incipient wetness impregnation (RM–IWI) method. The catalytic properties for CO preferential oxidation (CO PROX) reaction in H2-rich stream were investigated. The Co3O4/NP-Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalyst with 1.8 wt.% Co3O4 loading has exhibited higher catalytic activity than that of the other two catalysts. The higher catalytic activity might be attributed to the combination effect of the highly dispersed cobalt oxide, the improvement in CeO2 reducibility due to ZrO2 incorporation in CeO2 structures, and the strong cobalt oxide-support interaction.

Co3O4/NP-ZrO2, Co3O4/NP-CeO2 and Co3O4/NP-Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalysts were used to catalyze the CO preferential oxidation in excess H2. The 1.8 wt.% Co3O4/NP-Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► ZrO2, CeO2 and ceria-zirconia supported Co catalysts were used for CO PROX reaction.
► Adding ZrO2 into CeO2 improves the catalytic activity of supported cobalt catalyst.
► The catalyst 1.8 wt.% Co3O4/NP-Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 exhibited a high catalytic activity.
► High catalytic activity may be due to the strong cobalt oxide-support interaction.
► Co3O4 high dispersion enhances the catalytic activity in removing CO in H2-rich gas.