Characterisation of copper-manganese oxide catalysts: effect of precipitate ageing upon the structure and morphology of precursors and catalysts

The effect of ageing time on the composition an morphology of copper manganes oxide catalysts (Cu:Mn = 2: 1) prepared using a coprecipitation method is described and discussed. The ageing time was varied from 0 min (for the unaged precursor) to 1440 min. The effect of ageing time was investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of ageing on the catalyst structure are discussed in terms of the catalyst performance. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.