FABRICATION AND MICROANALYSIS OF NANO-STRUCTURED CuOx-CeO2 CATALYSTS FOR CO OXIDATION REACTION

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a significant air pollutant produced in incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion. From the viewpoint of environmental protection, it is important that the concentration of CO gas is lowered in air. Catalysis is proving to be an effective route for removing this pollutant. Therefore, a design of nano-structured catalysts with high efficiency is required. In the present work, we focus on a development of nano-size CuOx-CeO2 catalysts for CO oxidation reaction. To prepare nano-structured Cu loaded CeO2 catalysts, a combined method of the conventional impregnation and ammonium carbonate co-precipitation was examined. Morphology, crystal phase and surface structure of prepared catalysts were characterized using High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Catalytic properties of CuOx-CeO2 for CO oxidation were investigated in gas flow reactor system under atmospheric pressure and compared with copper oxide loaded zinc oxide. We expected that nano-structured CuOx-CeO2 catalysts could be used for removing CO produced in a wet reforming reaction of fuel cell applications.