Copper-based catalysts for water gas shift reaction: Influence of support on their catalytic activity

Three copper containing catalysts supported on ceria and mixed oxides of ceria with zirconia and titania were prepared by co-precipitation method and their catalytic activity was tested for water gas shift (WGS) reaction. High surface area (>100 m2/g) mixed oxides were obtained following the present method of preparation. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, H2-temperature programmed reduction (TPR), UV–vis and XPS. Catalytic activity was evaluated for water gas shift reaction in the 200–400 °C temperature range. The gas hourly space velocity was varied from 5000 to 25,000 h−1 for better evaluation and comparison of their performance. The effect of CO2 in the feed gas mixture on the WGS activity of these catalysts was also studied. Among the three catalysts studied, CuO-CeO2-ZrO2 mixed oxide shows better activity, implying the influence of support. Characterization of the catalysts after WGS reaction was also carried out in order to investigate structure–property correlation.