Preferential oxidation of CO in H2 rich stream over Au/CeO2–Co3O4 catalysts

Au/CeO2–Co3O4 catalysts with a Ce/Co atomic ratio from 0.1 to 0.6 were prepared by deposition–precipitation; their catalytic performance in preferential oxidation (PROX) of CO in H2 rich stream was investigated. Au/CeO2–Co3O4 exhibits much higher catalytic activity in CO PROX than Au/Co3O4 and Au/CeO2; over Au/CeO2–Co3O4, 100% CO conversion with 75% selectivity to CO2 can be achieved even at ambient temperature. Typically, for CO PROX at 80 °C over oxidation pretreated Au/CeO2–Co3O4 (Ce/Co = 0.2), 91% CO conversion and 51% selectivity to CO2 can last for 260 h.