Copper-Based Catalysts Supported on Highly Porous Silica for the Water Gas Shift Reaction.

Copper-based nanoparticles, supported on either a silica aerogel or cubic mesostructured silicas obtained by using two different synthetic protocols, were used as catalysts for the water gas shift reaction. The obtained nanocomposites were thoroughly characterised before and after catalysis through nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements at -196 °C, TEM, and wide- and low-angle XRD. The samples before catalysis contained nanoparticles of copper oxides (either CuO or Cu O), whereas the formation of metallic copper nanoparticles, constituting the active catalytic phase, was observed either by using pre-treatment in a reducing atmosphere or directly during the catalytic reaction owing to the presence of carbon monoxide.