Electrochemically modified brass mesh as a structured catalyst for the water‐gas shift reaction

Abstract The water‐gas shift (WGS) reaction is crucial for industrial H2 production. Cu‐ZnO‐based catalysts are widely used but suffer from limited stability due to Cu nanoparticles sintering, aggravated by localized hotspots generated during this exothermic reaction. Structured catalysts with high thermal conductivity can improve stability but are hindered by weak adherence of active components. Here, we modified brass mesh via an electrochemical method, allowing active components to grow firmly on the mesh substrate. Al(NO3)3 and/or Ce(NO3)3 solutions were used as electrolytes, with Al3+ promoting uniform electrodeposition and Ce3+ functioning as an electron promoter. The synthesized CuZnAlCe mesh exhibits a WGS reaction rate of 18.0 μmol g−1 s−1 at 200°C, twice that of the CuZnAl mesh and three times that of the CuZnAlCe powder catalyst. The structured catalyst demonstrates excellent robustness under harsh conditions, including air passivation and high‐temperature reactions at 350°C, highlighting its potential for industrial WGS applications.