Ion-pair complex precursor route for fabrication of high temperature shift Fe–Cr nanocatalyst

•A Fe–Cr nanocatalyst fabricated via thermolysis of an ion-pair complex precursor.•The fabricated nanocatalyst has high BET surface area (118.4 m2/g).•The WGS activity of the Fe–Cr nanocatalyst is higher than that of precipitated–impregnated reference sample.

In the present research a high temperature shift Fe–Cr nanocatalyst was fabricated via thermolysis of an ion-pair complex precursor, [Fe(H2O)6][Cr(C2O4)3]∙4H2O. This catalyst has higher specific surface area and smaller crystallite size compared to a reference catalyst prepared by precipitation–impregnation conventional method. The water gas shift activity of the prepared catalyst was comparable and even higher than that of a commercial catalyst in temperatures more than 400 °C and also, it showed better activity compared to that of the reference sample in all studied temperature range (350–500 °C).

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideA Fe–Cr nanocatalyst fabricated from ion-pair complex precursor route represents high catalytic activity for water gas shift at high temperatures.