Inorganic Complex Precursor: Preparation of Cu-Mn/SiO2 Mixed Oxide Nanocatalyst for Low-Temperature Water-Gas Shift Reaction

The present study examined the effect of three methods of preparation on the properties and catalytic performance of Cu-Mn/SiO2 catalysts for the water gas shift reaction (WGSR). Impregnation and coprecipitation and the new approach of thermal decomposition of [Cu(H2O)6][Mn(dipic)2].2H2O/SiO2 inorganic precursor complex were used for the synthesis of the silica-supported copper-manganese mixed oxide catalysts. The calcined catalysts and the precursors used for their preparation were characterized by XRD, SEM, BET, TGA, DSC, and FTIR spectroscopy. The WGSR was assessed at 180 to 320 °C. The results showed that thermal decomposition of inorganic precursor complex is more convenient than impregnation and coprecipitation for preparing active and stable Cu-Mn/SiO2 catalysts for the WGSR.