Abstract
In this study, Pt/Ce(0.6)Y(0.4)O(2) catalyst was prepared using a citric sol-gel method and was used as a catalyst for a water-gas shift (WGS) reaction. Compared to 1 wt % Pt/CeO(2) and Pt/Y(2)O(3) catalysts, the Pt/Ce(0.6)Y(0.4)O(2) catalyst showed a much higher WGS catalytic activity. At 250 °C, the conversion of carbon monoxide was 86.35% at a weight hourly space velocity of 30 000 cm(3) g(cat) (-1) h(-1). The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were investigated via X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, chemisorption, H(2) and CO temperature-programmed reduction, and in situ diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. These results confirmed that the catalytic activity did not depend on the dispersion and particle size of platinum. The high reducibility of the Ce(0.6)Y(0.4)O(2) support plays a crucial role in improving the activity of the Pt/Ce(0.6)Y(0.4)O(2) catalyst, and this improvement can also be explained by the reduction in CO adsorption strength.