Preparation and characterization of Cu-Ce-La mixed oxide as water-gas shift catalyst for fuel cells application

Cu-Ce-La mixed oxides were prepared by three precipitation methods (coprecipitation, homogeneous precipitation, and deposition precipitation) with variable precipitators and characterized using X-ray diffraction, BET, temperature-programmed reduction, and catalytic reaction for the water-gas shift. The Cu-Ce-La mixed oxide prepared by coprecipitation method with NaOH as precipitator presented the highest activity and thermal stability. Copper ion substituted quadrevalent ceria entered CeO2 (111) framework was in favor of activity and thermal stability of catalyst. The crystallinity of fresh catalysts increased with the reduction process. La3+ or Ce4+ substituted copper ion entered the CeO2 framework during reduction process. The coexistence of surface copper oxide (crystalline) and pure bulk crystalline copper oxide both contributed to the high activity and thermal stability of Cu-Ce-La mixes oxide catalyst.