The Effect of Precursor Concentration on the Crystallite Size of CeO₂ to Enhance the Sulfur Resistance of Pt/CeO₂ for Water Gas Shift

To develop customized sulfur–resistant catalysts for the water gas shift (WGS) reaction in the waste–to–hydrogen process, the effects of changing the nucleation conditions of the CeO2 support on catalytic performance were investigated. Supersaturation is a critical kinetic parameter for nuclei formation. The degree of supersaturation of the CeO2 precipitation solution was controlled by varying the cerium precursor concentration from 0.02 to 0.20 M. Next, 2 wt.% of Pt was impregnated on those various CeO2 supports by the incipient wetness impregnation method. The prepared samples were then evaluated in a WGS reaction using waste–derived synthesis gas containing 500 ppm H2S. The Pt catalyst supported by CeO2 prepared at the highest precursor concentration of 0.20 M exhibited the best sulfur resistance and catalytic activity regeneration. The sulfur tolerance of the catalyst demonstrated a close correlation with its oxygen storage capacity and easier reducibility. The formation of oxygen vacancies in CeO2 supports is promoted by the formation of small crystals due to a high degree of supersaturation.