Influence of preparation effects on 10 wt. %CuO/MnO_x catalytic activity in the preferential oxidation of CO (CO-PROX)

This study focused on the preparation of 10wt% CuO/MnO_x catalysts using three different MnO_x supports synthesized via hydrothermal, mechanochemical, and solution combustion methods. The catalysts were evaluated for preferential oxidation of CO for hydrogen purification within a temperature range of 40–250 °C at a gas hourly space velocity of 30000 (ml/(h.g_cat)). Characterization of the synthesized catalysts was carried out using X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, H₂ temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR), and scanning electron microscopy analyses. Results showed that the employed method for the preparation of the catalyst support significantly affects the reduction temperature and the oxidation state of the final catalysts. The 10 wt% Cu/Mn-CMB catalyst exhibited better reducibility, higher CO conversion at 100 °C (94%), and appropriate catalytic stability in the presence of H₂O and CO₂ compared to the other samples.