Graphite oxide/Ferrihydrite composites for the preferential oxidation of CO in excess of hydrogen (CO-PROX)

Composites of ferrihydrite were synthesized with various amounts (1, 5, 10 and 20 wt%) of graphite oxide (GO) and tested in the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide in the excess of hydrogen (COPROX). Fresh, pre-treated and used composites were characterized using N2 physisorption at -196°C, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the prepared systems was evaluated in the CO-PROX reaction in the 40-190°C temperature range. Significant differences in the catalytic performance among the samples were found in the presence of very small amount of GO.