Efficient fabrication of mesoporous active Cu–Co–CeO2 catalysts for water–gas shift

•High ordered mesoporous structure of Cu–Co–CeO2 was synthesized by nanocasting method.•Cu–Co–CeO2 possesses high WGS catalytic activity and thermal stability.•The surface CoOx species,CO desorption properties and surface acidity are vital.

The ordered mesoporous Cu–CeO2 and Cu–Co–CeO2 were prepared by nanocasting method using KIT-6 as hard template. Their application in water gas shift (WGS) were investigated. It is demonstrated that the addition of Co promotes CO conversion and thermal stability. The superior WGS catalytic properties in Cu–Co–CeO2 are associated with the formation of Co2O3 and Co3O4 species providing CO adsorption sites and the existence of more Lewis and Brønsted acid sites.