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Paper of the month

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

ICMS

J.L.Santos, T.R.Reina, S.Ivanova, M.A.Centeno & J.A.Odriozola Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 2016, Vol. 201, 310-317. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.08.017

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.