Copper oxide on Cu/Al₂O₃-TiO₂ catalystsTG, FTIR-CO absorption and catalytic activity in the NO reduction by CO

Abstract

TG, FTIR-(CO absorption), and catalytic activity in the NO reduction by CO were used to characterize Cu/Al₂O₃-TiO₂ catalysts prepared by co-gelling aluminum tri-sec-butoxide and titanium iso-propoxide at pH 9 and at pH 3 gelling conditions. Under nitrogen flow, copper oxide decomposition, oxygen storage capacity (OSC) and sample dehydroxylation (total mass loss) was followed by TG. The CuO decomposition forming Cu⁰, Cu⁺¹ was observed by means of FTIR (CO absorption) spectra. In pH 9 sample the large amount of Cu⁰ was observed. At low total mass loss and high Cu⁰/Cu⁺¹+Cu⁺² ratio (pH 9 sample) a lowest light-off in the NO reduction by CO was observed.