Introduction of Carbon Monoxide Catalyst

Definition and principle of carbon monoxide catalyst
Carbon monoxide (CO) catalysts are functional materials that convert CO into harmless CO₂ or high-value-added chemicals (such as ethylene and methanol) through catalytic oxidation or reduction reactions. Reduction reaction: Under certain conditions (such as electrolysis), CO can be reduced to carbon-based products, such as copper-based catalysts that promote C-C coupling to generate ethylene.
The active components of the catalyst (such as precious metals, cobalt, cerium) and the carrier (such as cordierite, honeycomb ceramics) jointly determine its efficiency and stability.
Preparation method and process
1. Selection of active components and carriers
Active components:
Precious metals: platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), etc. can reduce the activation energy of the reaction and improve low-temperature activity.
Transition metal oxides: copper oxide (CuO), manganese oxide (MnO₂), etc. are low-cost and high-temperature resistant, suitable for industrial waste gas treatment.
Carrier:
Cordierite honeycomb ceramics: high open porosity (100-400 holes/square inch) reduces airflow resistance and is suitable for high air velocity environments.
Porous carbon materials: high specific surface area enhances the dispersion of active components and improves catalytic efficiency.
2. Preparation process
Impregnation method: The carrier is impregnated in a solution containing a metal salt, and a supported catalyst is formed after drying and calcination. For example, the cordierite carrier is impregnated with a palladium chloride solution, and a Pd-based catalyst is obtained after calcination.
Co-precipitation method: Mix metal salt solution and precipitant to generate uniform precipitate, and then calcine to obtain composite oxide catalyst. Suitable for the preparation of multi-metal systems such as copper-cobalt-cerium.
Nanotechnology: Prepare nano-scale catalysts by sol-gel method or chemical vapor deposition, with large specific surface area, rich active sites, and significantly improve CO conversion rate.
3. Performance optimization
Sulfur and moisture resistance design: Add additives such as cerium (Ce) and molybdenum (Mo) to reduce the poisoning of SO₂ or water molecules to active sites and extend the life of the catalyst.
Structural regulation: Use core-shell structure or layered carrier (such as triazine-based carbon nitride) to enhance mass transfer efficiency and stability.
Main application scenarios
1. Industrial waste gas treatment
Steel industry: The CO concentration of sintering flue gas is as high as 6000-10000 ppm. The use of sulfur-resistant catalysts (such as titanium-cerium composite oxides) can achieve a conversion rate of more than 90% at 120-220℃.
Coking plant: Sulfur-resistant catalysts reduce energy consumption by recovering waste heat, and can process millions of tons of CO annually.
2. Purification of mobile sources and confined spaces
Automobile exhaust: Three-way catalytic converters (precious metal-based) simultaneously process CO, NOx and hydrocarbons, and low-temperature cold start performance is optimized by nitrogen-doped MnO₂.
Tunnels and underground parking lots: Monolithic honeycomb catalysts eliminate low concentrations of CO (<50 ppm) at room temperature (0-40°C) and high humidity (100% RH).
3. Energy and chemical synthesis
Synthesis gas conversion: In Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, copper-based catalysts convert CO and H₂ into liquid fuels or ethylene, with a C2+ product yield of 85%.
CO₂ resource utilization: Electrolysis technology uses cheap alloy catalysts to directly convert CO₂ into CO or synthesis gas, eliminating the separation step and helping carbon neutrality.
Technical challenges and future trends
Cost and resource constraints: High dependence on precious metals, the development of non-precious metals (such as Fe-Mn composite oxides) or single-atom catalysts is the key direction.
Intelligence and integration: Combine online monitoring and modular reactors (such as isothermal transformation technology) to achieve precise control of the catalytic process.
Green process: Promote low-pollution preparation technologies such as bioleaching and nanocatalysis to reduce the use of toxic reagents such as cyanide.
Conclusion
Carbon monoxide catalysts play a key role in promoting industrial emission reduction and energy transformation. Through material innovation and process optimization, future catalysts will be more efficient and environmentally friendly, providing core technical support for achieving the "dual carbon" goal.