Gold catalysts supported on ceria-modified mesoporous zirconia for low-temperature water–gas shift reaction

• Published in: Journal of porous materials Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 15 - 20
• Main Authors: Idakiev, V., Tabakova, T., Tenchev, K., Yuan, Z.-Y., Ren, T.-Z., Su, B.-L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.02.2012; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts; Cerium oxide; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Deposition; Gold; Hydroxides; Physical Chemistry; Reduction; Zirconium dioxide; Mesoporous zirconia; Water–gas shift reaction; Gold catalysts; Ceria additive
• ISSN: 1380-2224; 1573-4854
• DOI: 10.1007/s10934-010-9441-x

New gold catalytic system prepared on ceria-modified mesoporous zirconia used as water–gas shift (WGS) catalyst is reported. Mesoporous zirconia was synthesized using surfactant templating method through a neutral [C 13 (EO) 6 -Zr(OC 3 H 7 ) 4 ] assembly pathway. Ceria modifying additive was deposited on mesoporous zirconia by deposition–precipitation method. Gold-based catalysts with different gold content (1–3 wt. %) were synthesized by deposition–precipitation of gold hydroxide on mixed metal oxide support. The supports and the catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, N 2 adsorption analysis and temperature programmed reduction. The catalytic behavior of the gold-based catalysts was evaluated in WGS reaction in a wide temperature range (140–300 °C) and at different space velocities and H 2 O/CO ratios. The influence of gold content and particle size on the catalytic performance was investigated. The WGS activity of the new Au/ceria-modified mesoporous zirconia catalysts was compared with that of gold catalysts supported on simple oxides CeO 2 and mesoporous ZrO 2 , revealing significantly higher catalytic activity of Au/ceria-modified mesoporous zirconia. A high degree of synergistic interaction between ceria and mesoporous zirconia and a positive modification of structural and catalytic properties by ceria have been achieved. It is clearly revealed that the ceria-modified mesoporous zirconia is of much interest as potential support for gold-based catalyst. The Au/ceria-modified mesoporous zirconia catalytic system is found to be effective catalyst for WGS reaction.