Highly Efficient Au/ZnO−ZrO2 Catalysts for CO Oxidation at Low Temperature

A series of gold catalysts on ZnO−ZrO2 featuring nominal ZnO loads 3, 5, and 10 wt. % were synthesized by the sol–gel method using Zn(NO3)2 zirconium (IV) propoxide aqueous solutions. In addition, with between 1 3 produced deposition-precipitation urea, their performance in CO oxidation reaction at low temperature was evaluated. HRTEM outcomes revealed high dispersion 3Au/5ZnO−ZrO2 catalyst Zn/Zr atomic ratio (5/95) gold, which showed highest conversion (−5 °C) under air treatment when carried out a space velocity ~46,000 h−1. The incorporation to ZrO2 provoked nanoparticles support close size distribution; moreover, presence Au1+ Zr3+ species increased Zr−O−Zn interaction, stronger than single Au/ZrO2 Au/ZnO catalysts. DRIFT/GC−MS confirmed that Au1+/Au0 formation carbonate played an important role determining conversion; likewise, 3Au/5ZnO–ZrO2 stable °C for 24 h.