Effects of niobium addition on active metal and support in Co-CeO2 catalyst for the high temperature water gas shift reaction

Nb promoter was introduced in the Co-CeO2 catalyst to improve its catalytic performance in the high temperature water gas shift (HT-WGS) reaction, which involves the production of hydrogen from waste-derived synthesis gas. Thereafter, the physicochemical properties of the promoter as well as those of the catalyst were investigated using various techniques. Thus, it was confirmed that the Nb promoter affects the key properties related to catalytic performance, including oxygen storage capacity (OSC) and dispersion. To maximize the positive effect of the Nb promoter, we further investigated the effect of the Nb loading amount on the performance of the catalyst. The results obtained showed that the 1.5NbCo catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic performance (X-CO = 89% at 450 degrees C) under very severe conditions (gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) = 637,320 h(-1)). Additionally, this catalyst exhibited stable activity for 50 h. This its high catalytic performance could be attributed to its high OSC and Co dispersion. Therefore, it is a promising catalyst for hydrogen production via the HT-WGS reaction. (C) 2021 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, Nb promoter was introduced in the Co-CeO2 catalyst to enhance its catalytic performance in the high temperature water gas shift reaction. The effect of Nb loading amount on catalyst performance was further investigated, with 1.5NbCo catalyst showing the highest catalytic performance. The high catalytic performance of this catalyst was attributed to its high OSC and Co dispersion.