Enhanced catalytic performance for CO preferential oxidation over CuO catalysts supported on highly defective CeO2 nanocrystals

Abstract Herein, we synthesized CeO 2 nanocrystals (Ce250) with a large number of surface lattice defects by calcining the superfine Ce(OH) 3 nanowires at 250 °C. They were then utilized as the support of the CuO catalysts for CO preferential oxidation (CO PROX). The strong interaction between CuO and CeO 2 is the key factor to improve the catalytic activity, and our results show that the surface lattice defects on the CeO 2 support can strengthen the interaction between CuO and CeO 2 during the catalyst preparation procedure. With the increase of the calcination temperature, the surface areas of the CuO/CeO 2 catalysts gradually drops, but the interaction between CuO and CeO 2 is strengthened. Their catalytic activities present a “volcano” type, and the CuCe500 calcined at 500 °C shows the highest catalytic activity.