Decomposition of H₂O₂ over Cu-Ce-O and Fe-Ce-O composite catalysts prepared by fast combustion method

Abstract

Cu-Ce-O and Fe-Ce-O composite catalysts have been synthesized by solution combustion route. It is found that the copper oxide and iron oxide phases are well dispersed on CeO₂ support by this method. All the composite catalysts have been tested for heterogeneous decomposition of H₂O₂ in neutral solution. The compensation effects have been observed on

the composite catalysts. They are correlated to different surface active sites available on dispersed copper oxide and iron oxide phases in the respective composites. The kinetic data clearly show that there is a transformation from dispersed CuO to crystalline CuO with increased copper loading in Cu-Ce-O composite while iron oxide has always been present in highly dispersed state in Fe-Ce-O composite. The XRD and EPR data pertaining to CuO (20 mol%)-CeO₂ and Fe₂O₃ (20 mol%)CeO₂ composite samples are presented.