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Solid electrolyte aided study of the oxidation of hydrogen on copper and copper oxide catalysts

Journal Article · · Journal of Catalysis; (United States)

The catalytic oxidation of hydrogen on copper and copper oxide surfaces was studied in a solid electrolyte cell at 250-365[degrees]C and 1 atm. The technique of solid electrolyte potentiometry (SEP) was used to monitor the thermodynamic activity of oxygen adsorbed on the catalyst surface during reaction. The oxygen activity value resulted from a steady-state mass balance of oxygen on the catalyst surface and under specific conditions, was several orders of magnitude lower than the gas-phase oxygen partial pressure. The stable phase of the solid was usually CuO and less frequently Cu[sub 2]O or metallic Cu. The reaction on reduced (Cu metal) surface exhibited much higher rates than on either oxide, while between the latter two, CuO was the least active surface. The rate-determining step on CuO was the surface reaction between atomically adsorbed hydrogen and oxygen. A kinetic model that quantitatively explains both kinetic and potentiometric measurements in the CuO regime is presented. 43 refs., 10 figs.

OSTI ID:
7205375
Journal Information:
Journal of Catalysis; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Catalysis; (United States) Vol. 145:2; ISSN 0021-9517; ISSN JCTLA5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English