Comparison of the activity of Au/CeO2 and Au/Fe2O3 catalysts for the CO oxidation and the water-gas shift reactions

We compare the activity and relevant gold species of nanostructured gold–cerium oxide and gold–iron oxide catalysts for the CO oxidation by dioxygen and water. Well dispersed gold nanoparticles in reduced form provide the active sites for the CO oxidation reaction on both oxide supports. On the other hand, oxidized gold species, strongly bound on the support catalyze the water-gas shift reaction. Gold species weakly bound to ceria (doped with lanthana) or iron oxide can be removed by sodium cyanide at pH ≥12. Both parent and leached catalysts were investigated. The activity of the leached gold–iron oxide catalyst in CO oxidation is approximately two orders of magnitude lower than that of the parent material. However, after exposure to H₂ up to 400 °C gold diffuses out and is in reduced form on the surface, a process accompanied by a dramatic enhancement of the CO oxidation activity. Similar results were found with the gold–ceria catalysts. On the other hand, pre-reduction of the calcined leached catalyst samples did not promote their water-gas shift activity. UV–Vis, XANES and XPS were used to probe the oxidation state of the catalysts after various treatments.