Ruthenium Catalyst Supported on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for CO Oxidation

Abstract

This work proposes the synthesis of the 5%wt Ru on MWCNT catalyst and the influence of feed rate and testing variables for low-temperature oxidation affecting the CO 2 yield. Morphology and incorporation of the nanoparticles in carbon nanotubes were investigated by specific surface area (BET method); thermogravimetric analyses (TGA); X-ray diffraction; Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and XPS. The conversions of CO and O 2 were mostly 100% in groups C1 and C2 (temperature between 200 and 500C with low WHSV). In order to assess the effect of mass on catalytic activity, condition C3 was tested at even lower temperatures. In the tested catalyst, high activity (100% CO and O 2 conversion) was observed, keeping it active under reaction conditions, suggesting oxi-reduction of the RuO 2 at surface without affecting the MWCNT but Lewis acid influencing the CO 2 yield.