Low-Temperature CO Oxidation in Air

Currently, low-temperature CO oxidation over Au catalysts is practically important in connection vdth air quality control (CO removal from air) and the purification of hydrogen produced by steam reforming of methanol or hydrocarbons for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (CO removal from H2). Moreover, reaction mechanisms for CO oxidation have been studied most extensively and intensively throughout the history of catalysis research. Many reviews [4,19-28] and highlight articles [12, 29, 30] have been published on CO oxidation over catalysts. This chapter summarizes of the state of art of low temperature CO oxidation in air and in H2 over supported Au NPs. The objective is also to overview of mechanisms of CO oxidation catalyzed by Au. 

Except for H2 oxidation and hydrocarbon hydrogenations, most reactions are remarkably structure-sensitive over supported Au catalysts. One typical reaction is CO oxidation, which is remarkably sensitive to the junction perimeter between Au particles and support, the type of support and the size of the Au particles. 

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