The role of copper species on Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for NH3–SCO reaction

UV–vis spectra, XRD, H2-TPR, TEM and ESR were used to characterize a series of Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalysts, which were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation using copper nitrate, copper acetate or copper sulfate as precursors, to study the role of Cu species on Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for NH3–SCO reaction. It was found that the mixture of CuO phase and CuAl2O4 phase formed on various Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalysts, and the Cu species and dispersion had significant influence on the Cu/γ-Al2O3 activity. Highly dispersed CuO phase on the support would be related with its high activity for the NH3–SCO reaction.