Synthesis, characterization of CuO/Ce0.8Sn0.2O2 catalysts for low-temperature CO oxidation

Ce0.8Sn0.2O2 mixed oxide was synthesized by a co-precipitation method and used as a support for a series of CuO/Ce0.8Sn0.2O2 catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, XPS and H2-TPR. Their catalytic properties were studied by using a microreactor-GC system. The results indicated that the CuO loadings and calcination temperature had a large influence on the catalytic activity of the catalysts for low-temperature CO oxidation. The catalyst with 7 wt% CuO loading calcined at 650 °C for 4 h exhibited the highest catalytic activity. Combined with the XRD, XPS and TPR results, we suggest that the surface copper species and the synergetic effect in the system of Cu–Ce–Sn–O are responsible for the catalytic activity of the catalysts for low-temperature CO oxidation.