Important properties associated with catalytic performance over three-dimensionally ordered macroporous CeO2–CuO catalysts

•Synthesis of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous CeO2–CuO catalysts.•Skeleton of macroporous structure is composed of the CuO and CeO2 particles.•Catalytic performance is determined by various properties.•3DOM CeO2–CuO structure has improvement effect on catalytic performance.

Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous CeO2–CuO catalysts were prepared by the template and sol–gel method. The catalysts were characterized via SEM, TEM, XRD, H2-TPR, XPS, CO2-TPD and N2 adsorption–desorption techniques. It is found that the CeO2–CuO catalysts present the well-defined interconnected macroporous structure in three dimensions, and the skeleton of macroporous structure is composed of the CuO and CeO2 particles. Catalytic performance for preferential CO oxidation is determined by various properties including composition, structural and textural properties as well as reduction and desorption behavior. The 3DOM CeO2–CuO structure improves the interaction between CuO and CeO2, the structural and textural properties, the reduction of oxides and desorption of the adsorbed molecules on the active sites.

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