CO selective oxidation on ceria-supported Au catalysts for fuel cell application

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2004-09, Vol.135 (1), p.177-183
• Main Authors: Panzera, G., Modafferi, V., Candamano, S., Donato, A., Frusteri, F., Antonucci, P.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Au catalysts; Ceria support; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; PEMFC; PROX; Selective CO oxidation
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2004.04.006

Ceria-supported Au catalysts for selective oxidation of CO under simulated fuel processing conditions for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) application were investigated. Fresh and used catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The influence of catalyst heat treatment, reaction temperature, gas composition and space velocity on CO conversion and CO 2 selectivity has been evaluated. Air calcination at 500 °C resulted in the establishment of adequate interfacial metal oxide properties which are essential to promote the selective CO oxidation. CO conversion close to 100% was obtained at 120 °C, whereas CO 2 selectivities not higher than 40% were obtained in the entire temperature range investigated (80–120 °C). The presence of CO 2 in the inlet stream negatively affected both CO conversion and CO 2 selectivity. Both calcined and uncalcined Au/CeO 2 catalysts resulted to be very stable, as demonstrated by 120 h endurance tests. TEM investigation of the used catalysts revealed that a surface Au particles reconstruction occurred during reaction.