Gold catalysts supported on mesoporous zirconia for low-temperature water–gas shift reaction

Abstract

Mesoporous ZrO2 with high surface area and uniform pore size distribution, synthesized by surfactant templating through a neutral [C13(EO)6–Zr(OC3H7)4] assembly pathway, was used as a support of gold catalysts prepared by deposition–precipitation method. The supports and the catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption analysis, temperature programmed reduction and desorption. The catalytic activity of gold supported on mesoporous zirconia was evaluated in water–gas shift (WGS) reaction at wide temperature range (140–300°C) and at different space velocities and H2O/CO ratios. The catalytic behaviour and the reasons for а reversible deactivation of Au/mesoporous zirconia catalysts were studied. The influence of gold content and particle size on the catalytic performance was investigated. The WGS activity of the new Au/mesoporous zirconia catalyst was compared to the reference Au/TiO2 type A (World Gold Council), revealing significantly higher catalytic activity of Au/mesoporous zirconia catalyst. It is found that the mesoporous zirconia is a very efficient support of gold-based catalyst for the WGS reaction.