Preparation of Cu-based catalysts via the decomposition of CuH precursor and their catalytic activities in CO oxidation

CuH nanoparticles were synthesized and employed as the precursor for the preparation of unsupported Cu-based catalysts.Thermal decomposition of CuH under different atmospheric conditions led to the formation of Cu-based catalysts with different compositions and structures.The catalyst prepared by the CuH decomposition under the N2 atmosphere exhibits the best catalytic performance in CO oxidation whereas the catalyst prepared by the CuH decomposition under the O2 atmosphere exhibits the worst catalytic performance.The structure-activity relation of various Cu-based catalysts was also discussed.