Mesoporous CeO2-Supported Co3O4 Catalysts for CO Preferential Oxidation in H2-Rich Gases

Mesoporous ceria (meso-CeO2) and the mesoporous ceria-supported cobalt catalyst (Co3O4/meso-CeO2) were synthesized through a surfactant-templated method and used for CO preferential oxidation (PROX) in H2-rich gases. The N2 physical adsorption and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to study the textural properties and crystalline structure of the meso-CeO2 and Co3O4/meso-CeO2. It was found that Co3O4/meso-CeO2 exhibited very good catalytic performance for the PROX reaction at high space velocity, whereas CO2 and water had negative effects on CO conversion. In addition, the Co3O4/meso-CeO2 catalyst had a much wider temperature window for the complete conversion of CO than the Co3O4/non-mesoporous CeO2 catalyst.