THE EFFECTS OF RARE EARTHS ON ACTIVITY AND SURFACE PROPERTIES OF Ru/γ-AL2O3 CATALYST FOR WATER GAS SHIFT REACTION

Abstract

A series of Ru-RE/γ-AL₂O₃ (RE = Ce, Pr, La, Sm, Tb or Gd) and Ru/γ-AL₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by impregnation method. The influence of rare earths on the catalytic performance of Ru/γ-AL₂O₃ catalyst for the water gas shift reaction was studied. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and CO chemisorption. The results show that the addition of rare earths increases the catalytic activity of Ru based catalyst. Among these cerium is the most remarkably. The addition of cerium increases the active surface area, improves the dispersion of ruthenium, and weakens the interaction between ruthenium and the support. Cerium also affects the adsorption and reduction properties of Ru/γ-AL₂O₃ catalyst.

KEY WORDS: Rare earths, Ruthenium-based catalyst, Water gas shift reaction


Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2007, 21(3), 389-395.