Preparation and Performance of CuCe/SiO ₂ Aerogel Catalyst in the Catalytic Oxidation of CO

ABSTRACT The problems of typical catalysts' inadequate water resistance and limited low‐temperature activity are addressed in this work. The best catalyst support for the CO oxidation reaction was identified by comparing the performance of different catalyst supports (SiO 2 aerogel, γ‐Al 2 O 3 ). The same active component (CuCe) loaded on silica aerogel (hydrophobic HB‐SiO 2 , hydrophilic HL‐SiO 2 ) and common carriers (γ‐Al 2 O 3 ) loaded with the same active component (CuCe) were systematically compared. According to the activity test results, the CO conversion rates followed CuCe/HB‐SiO 2 > CuCe/HL‐SiO 2 > CuCe/γ‐Al 2 O 3 . Both aerogel supports developed multilevel pore structure, according to characterization. While the macropores reduced grain migration and agglomeration at high temperatures, inhibiting active component sintering and encouraging highly distributed active components, their mesoporous structure successfully limited the development of CuO‐CeO 2 grains. The HB‐SiO 2 support's nanoconfinement effect greatly increases the lattice oxygen and surface oxygen species movement rates, allowing the catalyst to demonstrate excellent reduction capabilities at low temperatures. In addition, hydroxyl groups on the surface encouraged the formation of oxygen vacancies, increasing the amount of oxygen that could be stored. The CuCe/HB‐SiO 2 catalyst could also hold the largest concentrations of Ce 3+ and Cu 2+ , promoting CO oxidation processes. Furthermore, Si‐O‐Ce linkages that formed at the CeO 2 /HB‐SiO 2 interface improved electron transfer between Cu and Ce.