Study on the supported Cu-based catalysts for the low-temperature water–gas shift reaction

This paper presents a study on the influence of support (Al₂O₃, MgO, SiO₂-Al₂O₃, SiO₂-MgO, β-zeolite, and CeO₂) of Cu-ZnO catalysts for the low-temperature water–gas shift reaction. Supported Cu-ZnO catalysts were prepared by the conventional impregnation method, followed by the H₂ reduction. The activity of Cu-ZnO catalysts for the water–gas shift (WGS) reaction was largely influenced by the kind of support; Cu-ZnO catalysts supported on Al₂O₃, MgO, and CeO₂ showed high activity, while those on SiO₂-Al₂O₃, SiO₂-MgO and β-zeolite showed less activity in the temperature range 423–523 K. XRD analysis demonstrated that the copper species were highly dispersed on the supports used in the present study, except for a MgO support. TPR results of a series of supported CuO-ZnO catalysts suggest that the reducibility of CuO is one of the important factors controlling the activity of the WGS reaction over the supported catalysts.     

Catalytic combustion of methane over microemulsion-derived MnOx–Cs2O–Al2O3 nanocomposites

Mesostructured MnO_x–Cs₂O–Al₂O₃ nanocomposites have been synthesized by reverse microemulsion method combined with hydrothermal treatment and then applied to the catalytic combustion of methane. Compared to impregnation-derived conventional MnO_x/Cs₂O/Com-Al₂O₃ catalyst, the microemulsion-derived catalyst showed higher activity and stability for methane combustion. The T_10% of the fresh and of the 72 h aged Mn_xO–Cs₂O–Al₂O₃ were 475 and 490 °C, respectively, recommending it as a potential candidate catalyst for application in hybrid gas turbines. The homogeneous composition of the microemulsion-derived nanocomposite catalyst can hinder the loss of Cs⁺ and accelerate the formation of Cs–β-alumina phase, ensuring thus higher activity and stability for methane combustion.     

Influence of chromium doping on the electrochemical performance of the 5 V spinel cathode LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4

With an aim to improve the 5 V capacity and cyclability of the LiMn_1.5Ni_0.5O₄ spinel oxide, three series of Cr substitutions have been pursued with y ≤ 0.2: LiMn_1.5Ni_0.5−yCr_yO₄, LiMn_1.5−0.5yNi_0.5−0.5yCr_yO₄, and LiMn_1.5−0.33yLi_0.33yNi_0.5−yCr_yO₄. While the first series involves an increase in the Mn³⁺ content, the second and third series are designed to maintain charge neutrality (Mn⁴⁺, Ni²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Li⁺) without introducing Mn³⁺ ions. The LiMn_1.5Ni_0.5−yCr_yO₄ series experiences a widening of the 4 V plateau and a decrease in the 5 V capacity compared to LiMn_1.5Ni_0.5O₄ due to an increase in the Mn³⁺ content. On the other hand, the LiMn_1.5−0.5yNi_0.5−0.5yCr_yO₄ series shows a suppression of the 4 V plateau and an increase in the 5 V capacity due to the elimination of the Mn³⁺ions. The LiMn_1.5−0.33yLi_0.33yNi_0.5−yCr_yO₄ series shows a suppression of the 4 V plateau at low Cr contents, but an increase in the 4 V plateau as the Cr content increases above 0.1. Among the various compositions investigated, LiMn_1.45Ni_0.45Cr_0.1O₄ exhibits the best combination of high 5 V capacity (128 mAh/g at 5–4.2 V) and excellent capacity retention (98% in 50 cycles) compared to 118 mAh/g and 92% for LiMn_1.5Ni_0.5O₄.     

Ce1−xCuxO2−x/Al2O3/FeCrAl catalysts for catalytic combustion of methane

A series of the Ce_1−xCu_xO_2−x/Al₂O₃/FeCrAl catalysts (x = 0–1) were prepared. The structure of the catalysts was characterized using XRD, SEM and H₂-TPR. The catalytic activity of the catalysts for the combustion of methane was evaluated. The results indicated that in the Ce_1−xCu_xO_2−x/Al₂O₃/FeCrAl catalysts the surface phase structure were the Ce_1−xCu_xO_2−x solid solution, -Al₂O₃ and γ-Al₂O₃. The surface particle shape and size were different with the variety of the molar ratio of Ce to Cu in the Ce_1−xCu_xO_2−x solid solution. The Cu component of the Ce_1−xCu_xO_2−x/Al₂O₃/FeCrAl catalysts played an important role to the catalytic activity for the methane combustion. There were the stronger interaction among the Ce_1−xCu_xO_2−x solid solution and the Al₂O₃ washcoats and the FeCrAl support.     

Grain growth in TiO2-added ZnO–Bi2O3–CoO–MnO ceramics prepared by chemical processing

The effect of TiO₂ on the grain growth of the ZnO–Bi₂O₃–CoO–MnO ceramic system prepared by chemical coprecipitation, was studied between 1150 and 1300 °C in air. Bi₂O₃ melts during firing, and then TiO₂ dissolves into Bi₂O₃-rich liquid. TiO₂ initially reacts with Bi₂O₃ to form Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂. Above ≈1050 °C, Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ reacts with ZnO to form Zn₂TiO₄ spinel phase. The kinetic study of grain growth carried out using the expression Gⁿ–G_oⁿ=K_o·t·exp(−Q/RT) gave grain exponent (n) value as 6 and the apparent activation energy (Q) as 226.46 kJ/mol. 1.00 mol% TiO₂ addition increased the grain growth exponent value from 6 to 7 and apparent activation energy with 1.00 mol% TiO₂ addition was found to be 197.10 kJ/mol. The ZnO grain size gradually increases with increasing TiO₂ content. Addition of TiO₂ may increase the reactivity of the Bi₂O₃-rich liquid towards the ZnO grain, thus affecting the ZnO grain growth.     

Quantification of the in situ DRIFT spectra of Pt/K/γ-A12O3 NOx adsorber catalysts

A method to quantify DRIFT spectral features associated with the in situ adsorption of gases on a NO_x adsorber catalyst, Pt/K/Al₂O₃, is described. To implement this method, the multicomponent catalyst is analysed with DRIFT and chemisorption to determine that under operating conditions the surface comprised a Pt phase, a pure γ-Al₂O₃ phase with associated hydroxyl groups at the surface, and an alkalized-Al₂O₃ phase where the surface –OH groups are replaced by –OK groups. Both DRIFTS and chemisorption experiments show that 93–97% of the potassium exists in this form. The phases have a fractional surface area of 1.1% for the 1.7 nm-sized Pt, 34% for pure Al₂O₃ and 65% for the alkalized-Al₂O₃. NO₂ and CO₂ chemisorption at 250 °C is implemented to determine the saturation uptake value, which is observed with DRIFTS at 250 °C. Pt/Al₂O₃ adsorbs 0.087 μmol CO₂/m²and 2.0 μmol NO₂/m², and Pt/K/Al₂O₃ adsorbs 2.0 μmol CO₂/m²and 6.4 μmol NO₂/m². This method can be implemented to quantitatively monitor the formation of carboxylates and nitrates on Pt/K/Al₂O₃ during both lean and rich periods of the NO_x adsorber catalyst cycle.     

A pilot plant study for catalytic decomposition of PCDDs/PCDFs over supported chromium oxide catalysts

Chromium oxide catalysts supported on TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ were examined in a fixed-bed flow reactor system for the removal of PCE (perchloroethylene), a simulant of 2,3,7,8-TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin), and in a pilot plant employing actual flue gas from a sintering plant for the removal of PCDDs/PCDFs (poly-chlorinated dibenzo-dioxin/poly-chlorinated dibenzo-furan). The 12.5 wt.% chromium oxides supported on TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ revealed excellent stability and performance of PCE removal in the feed gas stream containing water vapor. In a pilot plant study, the catalysts washcoated on the honeycomb reactor revealed 93–95% of PCDDs/PCDFs removal activity over CrO_x/Al₂O₃-HC20 (CrO_x/Al₂O₃ catalyst washcoated on 20 cell-honeycomb), and more than 99% of the decomposition activity over CrO_x/TiO₂-HC20 (CrO_x/TiO₂ catalyst washcoated on 20 cell-honeycomb) at 325 °C and 5000 h⁻¹ of reactor space velocity without the de novo synthesis of PCDDs/PCDFs. In particular, CrO_x/TiO₂-HC20 showed 94% of PCDDs/PCDFs decomposition activity even at 280 °C reaction temperature. The catalyst also exhibited significant NO removal activity. The chromium oxide seems to be a promising catalyst for the removal of PCDDs/PCDFs and NO_x contained in the flue gas.     

Characteristics of the Pd-only three-way catalysts prepared by sol–gel method

Pd-only three-way catalysts prepared by the sol–gel method were investigated by the three-way catalytic performance test with a simulated exhaust gas in a continuous U-tube quartz reactor at a gas hourly space velocity of 72 000 h⁻¹. The catalysts were characterized with XRD, XPS, BET surface area and pore volume. The activity and thermal stability of the Pd–Al₂O₃ catalyst prepared at pH 10 were superior to those at pH 4 during hydrolysis and condensation, which could be explained by the anchoring effect. Zr and V were found to be good promoters for the enhancement of the thermal stability and SO₂ resistance, respectively. Optimally formulated catalyst, Pd(1)–V(2)–Zr(10)–Al₂O₃, was thermally stable up to 900^oC and showed a much more improved low-temperature activity and excellent SO₂ resistance.     

TayNb1−yVO5 (0<y<1) mixed oxides synthesized by sol–gel method: electrochemical Li-insertion

Mixed oxides of general formulae Ta_yNb_1−yO₅ (0<y<1) have been synthesized by a modified sol–gel method. Characterization of the samples has been carried out by x-ray diffraction, SEM/EDX, FTIR spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The electrochemical properties have been studied in a lithium cell. The first discharge capacity decrease from 206 (y=0.25) to 136 mA h g⁻¹ (y=0.75). Ta_yNb_1−yO₅ samples undergo an irreversible structural changes induced by electrochemical Li⁺-insertion. For all compositions, the new compounds formed after the first discharge has a very high cyclability, as shown the low capacity loss <1% per cycle.     

Performance of La1−xSrxAl1−y−y′FeyMgy′O3−δ perovskites in methane combustion: effect of aluminum and magnesium content

Perovskites of different La_1−xSr_xAl_1−y−y′Fe_yMg_y′O_3−δ compositions (x=0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and y=0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8) were prepared from a reactive precursor slurry of hydrated oxides. Each sample was aged between 16 and 26 h up to 1473 K. Activity in methane combustion (1%/air) was determined in a plug-flow reactor, with 1 g catalyst and 24 l/h flowrate. Gradual decrease in activity due to thermal aging was observed, the degree of activity loss being composition dependent. Nevertheless, activity of samples aged at 1370 K was nearly independent of composition. The best thermal stability showed LaAl_0.65Fe_0.15Mg_0.2O₃ perovskite. None of the magnesium substituted perovskites performed better than a La_0.85Sr_0.15Al_0.87Fe_0.13O₃ reference sample.     

Physicochemical surface and catalytic properties of CuO–ZnO/Al2O3 system

A series of CuO–ZnO/Al₂O₃ solids were prepared by wet impregnation using Al(OH)₃ solid and zinc and copper nitrate solutions. The amounts of copper and zinc oxides were varied between 10.3 and 16.0 wt% CuO and between 0.83 and 7.71 wt% ZnO. The prepared solids were subjected to thermal treatment at 400–1000°C. The solid–solid interactions between the different constituents of the prepared solids were studied using XRD analysis of different calcined solids. The surface characteristics of various calcined adsorbents were investigated using nitrogen adsorption at −196°C and their catalytic activities were determined using CO-oxidation by O₂ at temperatures ranged between 125°C and 200°C.

The results showed that CuO interacts with Al₂O₃ to produce copper aluminate at ≥600°C and the completion of this reaction requires heating at 1000°C. ZnO hinders the formation of CuAl₂O₄ at 600°C while stimulates its production at 800°C. The treatment of CuO/Al₂O₃ solids with different amounts of ZnO increases their specific surface area and total pore volume and hinders their sintering (the activation energy of sintering increases from 30 to 58 kJ mol⁻¹ in presence of 7.71 wt% ZnO). This treatment resulted in a progressive decrease in the catalytic activities of the investigated solids but increased their catalytic durability. Zinc and copper oxides present did not modify the mechanism of the catalyzed reaction but changed the concentration of catalytically active constituents (surface CuO crystallites) without changing their energetic nature.     

Comparison of catalytic activity and selectivity of Pd/(OSC + Al2O3) and (Pd + OSC)/Al2O3 catalysts

The effect of the Pd addition method into the fresh Pd/(OSC + Al₂O₃) and (Pd + OSC)/Al₂O₃ catalysts (OSC material = Ce_xZr_1−xO₂ mixed oxides) was investigated in this study. The CO + NO and CO + NO + O₂ model reactions were studied over fresh and aged catalysts. The differences in the fresh catalysts were insignificant compared to the aged catalysts. During the CO + NO reaction, only small differences were observed in the behaviour of the fresh catalysts. The light-off temperature of CO was about 20 °C lower for the fresh Pd/(OSC + Al₂O₃) catalyst than for the fresh (Pd + OSC)/Al₂O₃ catalyst during the CO + NO + O₂ reaction. For the aged catalysts lower NO reduction and CO oxidation activities were observed, as expected. Pd on OSC-containing alumina was more active than Pd on OSC material after the agings. The activity decline is due to a decrease in the number of active sites on the surface, which was observed as a larger Pd particle size for aged catalysts than for fresh catalysts. In addition, the oxygen storage capacity of the aged Pd/(OSC + Al₂O₃) catalyst was higher than that of the (Pd + OSC)/Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Effect of ceria–zirconia ratio on the interaction of CO with PdO/Al2O3–(Cex–Zr1−x)O2 catalysts prepared by sol–gel method

The current work is devoted to study of CO interaction with PdO/Al₂O₃–(Ce_x–Zr_1−x)O₂ catalysts. Ceria–zirconia–alumina supports with different Ce/Zr ratio were prepared by sol–gel technique. The FT-IR characterization of CO adsorbed at −120 and 25 °C on oxidized and reduced samples revealed that Ce/Zr ratio modifies the surface properties of support and oxidation state of palladium. The catalyst with Ce/Zr molar ratio 0.5/0.5 was characterized with the highest ability to stabilize palladium in oxide state and the highest activity to oxidize CO. Redox treatment of catalysts improves their catalytic activity.     

Selective oxidation of ammonia over copper-silver-based catalysts

A novel catalyst based on copper-silver was developed to solve the contradiction between the high conversion temperature of Cu-based catalyst and low N₂ selectivity of Ag-based catalyst during selective oxidation of ammonium gas. The Cu-Ag-based catalyst (Cu 5 wt.%-Ag 5 wt.%/Al₂O₃) displayed a relatively low complete conversion temperature (<320 °C) with a high N₂ selectivity (>95%). Increasing loading of Cu and Ag decreases N₂ selectivity. The low N₂ selectivity of Ag-based catalyst is possibly related to the formation of Ag₂O crystals. Improvement of N₂ selectivity of Ag-based catalyst was obtained by doping Cu to decrease crystallized Ag₂O phase. The temperature programmed reaction (TPR) data show that N₂O is the main byproduct of oxidation of ammonia at temperature lower than 200 °C. Two bands of nitrate species at 1541 and 1302 cm⁻¹ were observed on Ag 10 wt.%/Al₂O₃ at the temperature higher than 250 °C, which indicates the formation of NO_x during the selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia. No nitrate species was observed on Cu 10 wt.%/Al₂O₃ and Cu 5 wt.%-Ag 5 wt.%/Al₂O₃, while only one nitrate species (1543 cm⁻¹) existed on Cu 10 wt.%-Ag 10 wt.%/Al₂O₃. We proposed that mixing Ag with Cu inhibited the formation of NO_x during the selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia over Cu-Ag/Al₂O₃.     

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity for NO–CO reaction of Pd–(La, Sr)2MnO4 system

La_xSr_2−xMnO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) oxides were synthesized and single-phase K₂NiF₄-type oxides were obtained in the range of 0.1 ≤ x < 0.5. The catalytic activity of La_xSr_2−xMnO₄ for NO–CO reaction increased with increasing x in the range of solubility limit of La. La_0.5Sr_1.5MnO₄ showed the highest activity among La_xSr_2−xMnO₄ prepared in this study, but its activity was inferior to perovskite-type La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃. Among the Pd-loaded catalysts, however, Pd/La_0.8Sr_1.2MnO₄ showed the higher activity and the selectivity to N₂ than Pd/La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ and Pd/γ-Al₂O₃. The excellent catalytic performance of Pd/La_0.2Sr_1.2MnO₄ could be ascribable to the formation of SrPd₃O₄ which was detected by XRD in the catalyst but not in the other two catalysts.     

Catalytic behavior of La–Sr–Ce–Fe–O mixed oxidic/perovskitic systems for the NO+CO and NO+CH4+O2 (lean-NOx) reactions

Mixed oxides of the general formula La_0.5Sr_xCe_yFeO_z were prepared by using the nitrate method and characterized by XRD and Mössbauer techniques. The crystal phases detected were perovskites LaFeO₃ and SrFeO_3−x and oxides -Fe₂O₃ and CeO₂ depending on x and y values. The low surface area ceramic materials have been tested for the NO+CO and NO+CH₄+O₂ (“lean-NO_x”) reactions in the temperature range 250–550°C. A noticeable enhancement in NO conversion was achieved by the substitution of La³⁺ cation at A-site with divalent Sr⁺² and tetravalent Ce⁺⁴ cations. Comparison of the activity of the present and other perovskite-type materials has pointed out that the ability of the La_0.5Sr_xCe_yFeO_z materials to reduce NO by CO or by CH₄ under “lean-NO_x” conditions is very satisfying. In particular, for the NO+CO reaction estimation of turnover frequencies (TOFs, s⁻¹) at 300°C (based on NO chemisorption) revealed values comparable to Rh/-Al₂O₃ catalyst. This is an important result considering the current tendency for replacing the very active but expensive Rh and Pt metals. It was found that there is a direct correlation between the percentage of crystal phases containing iron in La_0.5Sr_xCe_yFeO_z solids and their catalytic activity. O₂ TPD (temperature-programmed desorption) and NO TPD studies confirmed that the catalytic activity for both tested reactions is related to the defect positions in the lattice of the catalysts (e.g., oxygen vacancies, cationic defects). Additionally, a remarkable oscillatory behavior during O₂ TPD studies was observed for the La_0.5Sr_0.2Ce_0.3FeO_z and La_0.5Sr_0.5FeO_z solids.     

Selective catalytic reduction of NO by C3H8 over CoOx/Al2O3: An investigation of structure–activity relationships

A series of CoO_x/Al₂O₃ catalysts was prepared, characterized, and applied for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by C₃H₈. The results of XRD, UV–vis, IR, Far-IR and ESR characterizations of the catalysts suggest that the predominant oxidation state of cobalt species is +2 for the catalysts with low cobalt loading (≤2 mol%) and for the catalysts with 4 mol% cobalt loading prepared by sol–gel and co-precipitation. Co₃O₄ crystallites or agglomerates are the predominant species in the catalysts with high cobalt loading prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and solid dispersion. An optimized CoO_x/Al₂O₃ catalyst shows high activity in SCR of NO by C₃H₈ (100% conversion of NO at 723 K, GHSV: 10,000 h⁻¹). The activity of the selective catalytic reduction of NO by C₃H₈ increases with the increase of cobalt–alumina interactions in the catalysts. The influences of cobalt loading and catalyst preparation method on the catalytic performance suggest that tiny CoAl₂O₄ crystallites highly dispersed on alumina are responsible for the efficient catalytic reduction of NO, whereas Co₃O₄ crystallites catalyze the combustion of C₃H₈ only.     

Synthesis and properties of lanthanum hexaaluminate ceramic La1−xCaxAl11−y−zMgyTizO18

The aim of the present work is to obtain ceramic materials with a hexagonal structure and high density, hardness and mechanical strength at lower synthesis temperature. Ceramic samples with nominal composition La_1−xCa_xAl_11−y−zMg_yTi_zO₁₈ (x=0–1; y=0–3; z=0–3,5) are prepared. The samples are sintered at temperature 1500 °C by one-stage and two-stage ceramic technology. By X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, predominant phase LaAl₁₁O₁₈ and second phases LaAlO₃ and -Al₂O₃ are identified. Ceramic materials are characterized with high physico-mechanical properties and may be find application for production of mill bodies and materials for immobilization of nuclear waste.     

Regeneration of thermally aged Pt-Rh/CexZr1−xO2-Al2O3 model three-way catalysts by oxychlorination treatments

Pt-Rh/Ce_xZr_1−xO₂-Al₂O₃ with 0.6 and 1.0 wt.% noble metal loadings were prepared and characterized for their metal dispersion with respect to Ce_xZr_1−xO₂-free Pt-Rh/Al₂O₃ in fresh, thermally aged and oxychlorinated states. Thermal ageing at 973 K led to loss of metal dispersion in all cases but to negligible effect on the dispersion of the Ce_xZr_1−xO₂ component where present. Oxychlorination was able to fully recover metal dispersion in all cases but led to different effects on the redox properties of Ce_xZr_1−xO₂ which appeared to be related to the metal loadings. Despite showing improved dispersion following regeneration, higher loaded catalyst showed no improvement in light-off performance for either NO reduction or CO oxidation and showed poorer oxygen storage (OSC) ability, particularly at higher temperatures. Lower loaded catalyst showed improved dispersion, improved OSC and reduced light-off temperatures for NO reduction and CO oxidation after oxychlorination compared to that in the thermally aged state.     

Alumina supported cobalt–palladium catalysts for the reduction of NO by methane in stationary sources

In order to improve a “Three Function Catalysts Model”, the present paper deals with alumina based catalysts containing cobalt and palladium for the NO reduction by methane.

The deNO_x temperature window was estimated by adsorption and subsequent desorption of NO in lean conditions. Two NO_x desorption peaks were detected for both catalysts. For Pd(0.63)Co(0.58)/Al₂O₃, the two desorption peaks appeared at 205 and 423 °C, whereas for Pd(0.14)Co(0.57)/Al₂O₃, the maxima desorption temperature peaks were at 205 and 487 °C. In addition, NO oxidation was also studied to evaluate the catalyst first function. It was found that, the oxidation begins on Co–Pd/Al₂O₃ around 250 °C. On Pd(0.63)Co(0.58)/Al₂O₃, 8% of deNO_x were found in the range of the second NO_x desorption peak temperature (410 °C). During TPSR, C_xH_yO_z species such as formaldehyde were detected. These oxygenate species are the reactive intermediate for deNO_x by methane.