Enhanced activity of bimetallic Fe-Cu catalysts supported on ceria toward water gas shift reaction: synergistic effect

Abstract

Within the “hydrogen chain”, the high-temperature water gas shift reaction represents a key step to improve the H₂ yield and adjust the H₂/CO_x ratio to fit the constraints of downstream processes. Despite the commercial application of the high-temperature water gas shift, novel catalysts characterized by higher intrinsic activity (especially at low temperatures), good thermal stability, and no chromium content are needed. In this work, we propose bimetallic iron-copper catalysts supported on ceria, characterized by low active phase content (iron oxide + copper oxide < 5 wt %). Fresh and used samples were characterized by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and temperature programmed reduction in hydrogen to relate physicochemical features and catalytic activity. The sample with iron/copper ≈ 1 and 4 wt % active phase content showed the best catalytic properties in terms of turnover frequency, no methane formation, and stability. Its unique properties were due to both strong iron-copper interaction and strong metal-support interaction, leading to outstanding redox behavior.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

water gas shift / iron / copper / bimetallic catalysts / ceria / hydrogen

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Mr. Andrea Bizzarro for BET analysis, Mr. Fernando Stanzione for ICP-MS measurements, and Mr. Luciano Cortese for XRD and SEM-EDS measurements. Open Access funding provided by Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche within the CRUI-CARE Agreement.

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