Performance of CuO/Al₂O₃ Catalysts Promoted by SnO₂ and ZrO₂ in the Selective Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide

The effect of added SnO₂ and ZrO₂ to CuO/Al₂O₃ catalysts was investigated with reference to the oxygen spillover phenomena in the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide. The TPR and TPO analyses indicated that SnO₂ and ZrO₂ addition caused oxygen migration and induced the formation of high concentrations of active oxygen species on the SnO₂ and ZrO₂ surface. The catalytic activities of SnO₂ and ZrO₂ supported CuO/Al₂O₃ catalysts were superior to that for CuO/Al₂O₃ catalysts in the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide. Oxygen, when absorbed to the SnO₂ and ZrO₂ surface can spill over to the CuO phase and easily react with carbon monoxide. Consequently, the addition of SnO₂ and ZrO₂ led to significantly improved activities. This can be attributed to the enhanced migration of oxygen to the catalyst surface.