Effect of ZrO2 on the performance of Co-CeO2 catalysts for hydrogen production from waste-derived synthesis gas using high-temperature water gas shift reaction

In this study, highly active and stable CeO2, ZrO2, and Zr(1-x)Ce(x)O2-supported Co catalysts were prepared using the co-precipitation method for the high-temperature water gas shift reaction to produce hydrogen from waste-derived synthesis gas. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were investigated by carrying out Brunauer-EmmetTeller, X-ray diffraction, CO-chemisorption, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and H-2-temperature-programmedreduction measurements. With an increase in the ZrO2 content, the surface area and reducibility of the catalysts increased, while the interaction between Co and the support and the dispersion of Co deteriorated. The Co-Zr0.4Ce0.6O2 and Co-Zr0.6Ce0.4O2 catalysts showed higher oxygen storage capacity than that of the others because of the distortion of the CeO2 structure due to the substitution of Ce4+ by Zr4+. The Co-Zr0.6Ce0.4O2 catalyst with high reducibility and oxygen storage capacity exhibited the best catalytic performance and stability among all the catalysts investigated in this study. (C) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Highly active and stable CeO2, ZrO2, and Zr(1-x)Ce(x)O2-supported Co catalysts were prepared and their physicochemical properties were investigated. The increase in ZrO2 content enhanced the surface area and reducibility of the catalysts, but deteriorated the interaction between Co and the support and the dispersion of Co. The Co-Zr0.6Ce0.4O2 catalyst exhibited the best catalytic performance and stability due to its high reducibility and oxygen storage capacity.