Abstract

In this work, catalytic systems based on CuO-CeO₂ were synthesized by the Pechini method.  These catalytic systems were prepared without the need to perform a step of impregnation of active species as is often seen in works of catalyst preparation. In the synthesis procedure, the CuO-CeO₂ catalytic systems were synthesized with 0.1 and 0.5 mol of CuO. The CuO-CeO₂ catalytic systems were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) with the Rietveld refinement method, Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), textural analysis, thermogravimetry and agglomerates size distribution. According to the results, the CuO concentration value (0.1 or 0.5 mol) inserted into the CuO-CeO₂ catalytic system showed great influence on the structural characteristics observed in the X-ray diffraction results. However, the morphologic and textural features as well as the results of agglomerates size distribution did not show significant changes to the variation of CuO concentration inserted in the catalytic systems developed in this work by the Pechini method. On the other hand, it was observed that these catalytic systems presented a good porous structure, which is favorable for the catalytic application in PROX process. The next stage of this work is the catalytic test in the PROX reaction.

 Key words: CuO-CeO₂ catalytic system, Pechini method, CO removal, PROX process.