3 minutes will give you a comprehensive understanding of carbon monoxide catalyst!

The use of carbon monoxide catalysts has become more and more extensive. Today we will learn how amazing it is!
Carbon monoxide catalysts are mainly divided into four categories: transition metal oxide catalysts, precious metal catalysts, non-precious metal composite catalysts, and bimetallic alloy catalysts. Their composition, properties, and performance are quite different. Next, let's analyze them one by one.
1. Precious metal catalysts
With precious metals such as palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), and rhodium (Rh) as active ingredients, its carrier is generally alumina (Al₂O₃). Like the three-way catalyst commonly used in automobile exhaust treatment, the efficient conversion of CO, HC and NOx is achieved through the synergistic effect of Pt-Pd-Rh. This catalyst has very high activity and high adaptability to temperature, but the cost of this catalyst is relatively expensive and it is easy to be poisoned or deactivated.
2. Transition metal oxide catalyst
With manganese oxide (MnO₂), copper oxide (CuO) and other active ingredients, such as CCH catalyst, which uses rare metal and transition metal composite oxides. It is also highly active in medium and low temperature environments and can resist the interference of water vapor. It is widely used in sintering flue gas treatment and automobile exhaust treatment.
3. Non-precious metal composite catalyst
Including iron-chromium and copper-zinc catalysts. The iron-chromium system is suitable for medium and high temperature (300-550℃) conversion reactions, while the copper-zinc system can reduce the CO concentration to below 0.5% at low temperatures (200-280℃).
4. Bimetallic alloy catalysts
A typical example is Au-Cu/TiO₂, which achieves preferential oxidation of CO in hydrogen-rich gas through the synergistic effect of gold and copper. This type of catalyst can completely convert CO in the range of 30-100℃.
There are so many types of carbon monoxide catalysts, so what are the differences in their application scenarios? The selection of general catalysts needs to be considered in combination with working conditions, reaction conditions, gas composition and cost:
Application scenarios of precious metal catalysts: automobile exhaust purification, fuel cell hydrogen, purification of high-temperature industrial waste gas treatment (such as gas turbines). It needs to be activated at 300-600℃ and needs to be replaced regularly, otherwise it is easy to be poisoned by sulfur.
Application scenarios of transition metal oxide catalysts: deep purification of sintering flue gas CO (such as the steel industry), low-temperature fuel cells, and indoor air purifiers. It can be used directly at medium and low temperatures (150-350℃), and the formula can be customized to adapt to complex flue gas components.
Application scenarios of non-precious metal composite catalysts: synthetic ammonia feed gas treatment, coal chemical conversion reaction. The iron-chromium system needs to be reduced and activated, and the copper-zinc system needs to avoid high-temperature sintering.
Application scenarios of bimetallic alloy catalysts: chemical raw gas refining, hydrogen fuel cell system. During use, the H₂/CO ratio must be strictly controlled to avoid H₂ competitive oxidation and thus reduce efficiency.
Among these carbon monoxide catalysts, the transition metal oxide catalyst is relatively cost-effective, which is more widely used and has lower cost. Compared with precious metals, its cost is only 1/5-1/3 of that of precious metal catalysts, and its service life is 3-5 years, and it can be recycled and regenerated after failure. At present, the demand for transition metal oxide catalysts accounts for more than 60% of the catalyst market.

In selecting carbon monoxide catalysts, it is necessary to take into account both performance and cost. Transition metal oxides have been widely used due to their high activity at medium and low temperatures, anti-poisoning ability and economy. With the advancement of scientific research and technology, non-precious metal catalysts are very likely to continue to replace precious metals and promote CO governance towards high efficiency and low carbon.

author: Hazel
date:2025-07-09