LAUSR

Highly ordered mesoporous cobalt-copper composite oxides were prepared by the nanocasting method with various Co and Cu ratios. The catalysts obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption–desorption, H2-temperature programmed reduction, CO-temperature programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. All of the catalysts had uniform mesopores and high surface areas. The distinct catalytic properties of these well-characterized mesoporous materials were demonstrated for preferential CO oxidation. It is found that the mesoporous cobalt-copper composite oxides, exhibited the higher catalytic activity for CO conversion and selectivity compared with the mesoporous Co3O4 and mesoporous CuO. Among these catalysts the mesoporous cobalt-copper catalyst with Co:Cu molar ratio of 70:30, shows the best catalytic activity and the broadest operating temperature “window” for the high CO conversion in the range of 125–200oC. The higher catalytic activity was attributed to the higher CO adsorption and oxygen vacancies.