Iron-Based Catalysts for the High-Temperature Water Gas Shift (HT-WGS) Reaction: A Review

This article critically reviews the literature on iron-based catalysts for the high-temperature water-gas shift (HT-WGS) reaction. The reaction mechanism, reaction intermediates, rate-determining step, kinetics, active site, and promoters are covered. Unlike the low-temperature water-gas shift (LT-WGS) reaction by Cu/ZnO catalysts that has received intensive analysis with modern in situ and operando spectroscopy and DFT studies, the corresponding HT-WGS reaction by Fe-based catalysts still lacks a fundamental understanding because of the absence of modern catalysis studies of this important catalytic system. Given the role of the WGS catalysts on production of H-2 for a hydrogen economy, it is imperative that the fundamental molecular-level understanding of the HT-WGS catalyst be advanced.