Gold promoted Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts prepared from hydrotalcite precursors: Advanced materials for the WGS reaction

•Gold nanoparticles + CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 excellent catalysts for the WGS reaction.•Excellent specific reaction rates at low temperature with only 1 (w/w) % of gold.•Advanced performance due to the improved AuCu synergy. Hydrotalcites as key precursor.•High conversion levels without any activation step.•Remarkable long term stability and good tolerance to star-up/shutdown cycles.

Outstanding catalysts for the water was shift reaction are reported in this work. The combination of gold nanoparticles with Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 prepared from hydrotalcite-like precursors leads to very promising systems for pure hydrogen production. Full CO conversion is reached at temperatures as low as 180 °C. The key point seems to be the cooperation of Au and Cu and the optimal metal-oxide contact derived from the synthesis method. The high activity of gold for low temperature CO oxidation and the suitability of copper for the WGS results in a perfect synergy. Moreover the materials developed in this work present good stability and tolerance towards start/stop cycles an indispensable requisite for a realistic application in an integrated hydrogen fuel processor.

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