The application of FTIR in situ spectroscopy combined with methanol adsorption to the study of mesoporous sieve SBA-15 with cerium-zirconium oxides modified with gold and copper species

Abstract

The molecular sieves SBA-15 with ceria, zirconia and mixed cerium-zirconium oxides were synthesized and used as supports for gold and copper species. The materials were characterised using a FTIR in situ spectroscopy combined with the adsorption of methanol and oxygen as probe molecules, which allowed the monitoring of the changes on the surface, in particular the creation of the intermediates species on the active sites of materials. The presence of interactions between gold and copper in bimetallic catalysts was considered during the reaction of methanol oxidation. The goal of this work was studied the changes of intermediates adsorbed on the surface of catalysts during the oxidation of methanol after treatment at selected temperature. The monometallic gold and the bimetallic copper–gold catalysts were tested in the reaction of methanol oxidation in the gas phase in situ.