Synthesis and catalytic properties of nanostructured Me/Mn0.5Ce0.5O2 in the oxidation of carbon monoxide

The nanostructured solid solution Mn 0.5 Ce 0.5 O 2 is synthesized to develop effective noble metal free catalysts for the detoxification of technogenic contaminants. Its chemical and phase compositions and textural characteristics are studied by differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, laser mass spectrometry, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. The activity of the solid solution in the oxidation of carbon monoxide is determined by the flow method within a temperature range of 20–300°C at atmospheric pressure, a gas hourly space velocity of 1800 h −1 for the following gas mixture composition, vol %: CO, 3.6; O 2 , 8.0; N 2 , balance. The activity of Mn 0.5 Ce 0.5 O 2 is shown to be appreciably higher than the activity of MnO x and CeO 2 , and the temperature of 100% conversion is 92, 120, and 210°C, respectively. Using the solid solution as a support and the technique of impregnation, we synthesize the nanostructured catalysts Cu/Mn 0.5 Ce 0.5 O 2 and Ag/Mn 0.5 Ce 0.5 O 2 , which manifest high activity in the oxidation of carbon monoxide: the temperature of 100% conversion is 77 and 85°C, respectively. The new catalysts could be of interest for the purification of industrial and motor vehicle wastes.