Abstract:
The preferential oxidation (PROX) of CO in the presence of hydrogen is regarded as one of the most effective methods for reducing CO levels to a desired value in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFCs) application. In this research, a series of Au/FeOx-MnOx catalysts Prepared by deposition-precipitation was investigated. The prepared catalysts were investigated in a microreactor for the PROX and then used in a Methanol fuel processor (MFP), which included a reformer and PROX reactor. The optimum conditions (Au/FeOx-MnOx atomic ratio of 1/30, Fe/Mn molar ratio of 1/1, and calcination temperature of 400 °C) provided 100 % CO conversion and 56 % PROX selectivity at 60 °C. The pivotal presence of water vapor (10 %) in the feedstream could significantly enhance the CO conversion. On the other hand, the negative effect of CO₂ (10 %) in the feedstream on catalytic activity was clearly observed. Nevertheless, the Au/FeOx-MnOx catalyst exhibited good performance in a reformed gas stream using an MFP for 12 hours.
