Ultrafine Ru and γ-Fe2O3 particles supported on MgAl2O4 spinel for water-gas shift reaction

The supported iron-based catalysts were prepared by adsorbing colloidal particles of γ-Fe2O3 on MgAl2O4 spinel, and then promoted by Ru metal clusters and lanthanum oxide. The γ-Fe2O3 supported on the carrier was reduced to nano-Fe3O4 before water-gas shift reaction (WGSR). The catalyst, comprising 14% Fe2O3, 0.4% Ru and 0.7 wt% La2O3, showed high catalytic activity and could be operated under low ratio of steam to gas (S/G = 0.6) and high space velocity (SV = 3000 h−1) with good CO conversion. The investigation also proved that the supported catalyst was more heat-resistant compared to the unsupported one. Superior catalytic activity of the supported catalyst was related to the high dispersion of the active components and the existence of lanthanum oxide as an effective promoter, which may promote the catalytic activity both electronically and morphologically.