Oxidation catalyst
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsSylvia Ceyer, David Lahr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention generally relates to catalyst systems and methods for oxidation of carbon monoxide. The invention involves catalyst compositions which may be advantageously altered by, for example, modification of the catalyst surface to enhance catalyst performance. Catalyst systems of the present invention may be capable of performing the oxidation of carbon monoxide at relatively lower temperatures (e.g., 200 K and below) and at relatively higher reaction rates than known catalysts. Additionally, catalyst systems disclosed herein may be substantially lower in cost than current commercial catalysts. Such catalyst systems may be useful in, for example, catalytic converters, fuel cells, sensors, and the like.
Claims33
A catalyst system for oxidation of carbon monoxide, comprising:
- a reaction chamber constructed and arranged to be exposed to a source of carbon monoxide, the reaction chamber comprising a catalyst composition,
- the catalyst composition comprising a surface, wherein the surface comprises a surface monolayer of atoms comprising about 7.4×106 or less gold atoms per μm2.
A catalyst system for oxidation of carbon monoxide, comprising:
- a reaction chamber constructed and arranged to be exposed to a source of carbon monoxide, the reaction chamber comprising a catalyst composition,
- the catalyst composition comprising a surface, wherein the surface comprises a surface monolayer of atoms comprising 40% or less gold atoms.
A catalyst system for oxidation of carbon monoxide, comprising:
- a reaction chamber constructed and arranged to be exposed to a source of carbon monoxide, the reaction chamber comprising a catalyst composition,
- the catalyst composition comprising a base material and gold atoms primarily positioned in an exposed state at the surface, wherein at least 90% of the gold atoms in the catalyst composition are so exposed at the surface.
A catalyst system for oxidation of carbon monoxide, comprising:
- a reaction chamber constructed and arranged to be exposed to a source of carbon monoxide, the reaction chamber comprising a catalyst composition,
- the catalyst composition comprising a base material and dispersed material, wherein at least 90% of atoms of the dispersed material do not contact other atoms of the dispersed material.
A method for oxidation of carbon monoxide, comprising:
- introducing a gas comprising carbon monoxide into a reaction chamber constructed and arranged to be exposed to a source of carbon monoxide, the reaction chamber comprising a catalyst composition;
- and
- performing the oxidation to at least a 50% level of conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide at a temperature of 200 K or less.
A method for oxidation of carbon monoxide, comprising:
- contacting a catalyst with a gas comprising carbon monoxide, and
- causing adsorption of a dioxygen species at a surface of the catalyst and reaction of the adsorbed dioxygen species with carbon monoxide to form carbon dioxide at a temperature of 200 K or less.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.