Method for forming activated copper oxide catalysts

A method of forming particles of a copper oxide carbon monoxide catalyst comprising:

• forming a precipitate of copper hydroxide from a copper salt solution;
• optionally filtering the precipitate;
• drying the copper hydroxide precipitate at a temperature of less than about 30° C. to form copper hydroxide particles;
• heating the copper hydroxide particles to form copper oxide particles;
• and
• activating the copper oxide particles in an atmosphere comprising oxygen and carbon monoxide,
• wherein the copper salt comprises copper nitrate, and
• wherein the copper hydroxide particles are heated in air at a temperature of between about 200° C. and 350° C. for at least about 2 hours.

A method of forming particles of a copper oxide carbon monoxide catalyst comprising:

• forming a precipitate of copper hydroxide from a copper salt solution;
• optionally filtering the precipitate;
• drying the copper hydroxide precipitate at a temperature of less than about 30° C. to form copper hydroxide particles;
• heating the copper hydroxide particles to form copper oxide particles;
• and
• activating the copper oxide particles in an atmosphere comprising oxygen and carbon monoxide,
• wherein the copper salt comprises copper nitrate, and
• wherein the copper hydroxide particles are heated in air at a temperature of about 250° C. for 2 hours.