Silica, alumina and ceria supported Au–Cu nanoparticles prepared via the decomposition of [Au(en)2]2[Cu(C2O4)2]3·8H2O single-source precursor: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance in CO PROX

•Double complex salts as single-source precursors supported bimetallic nanoparticles.•Catalyst preparation via the [Au(en)2]2[Cu(C2O4)2]3·8H2O decomposition.•Selective formation of supported Au–Cu alloy nanoparticles with preset stoichiometry.•Silica, alumina and ceria supported bimetallic Au–Cu catalysts.•Au0.4Cu0.6/CeO2 catalyst exhibited best CO PROX performance.

Silica, alumina and ceria supported bimetallic Au–Cu catalysts were prepared via the decomposition of [Au(en)2]2[Cu(C2O4)2]3·8H2O double complex salt inside the support pore structure. XRD and TEM analyses indicated the selective formation of supported Au0.4Cu0.6 alloy nanoparticles with preset stoichiometry on the support surface. Catalysts were tested in CO preferential oxidation (PROX) reaction. Au0.4Cu0.6/CeO2 catalyst showed best characteristics having higher CO consumption at higher selectivity in the realistic hydrogen-rich mixture containing CO2 and H2O, compared with Au/CeO2 catalyst.

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