(511b) Electrospun Ceria-Based Water Gas Shift Catalyst Mats: Preparation, Characterization, and Integration Into a Membrane Reactor

Catalytically active non-woven ceramic fiber mats (with fibers ~200 nm dia) containing palladium and copper were prepared via electrospinning. The catalysts were screened for activity and stability under simple WGS conditions (5% CO, 10% H₂O, balance Ar). Varied preparation of the spinning solution was shown to affect both the formation of the final fiber mat as well as catalyst activity and stability. Additionally, mat formation and structure depends strongly on the polymer removal step during synthesis, and careful polymer removal can produce a strong and stable mat of material. Such material is easily integrated into a planar membrane reactor, which uses a 60/40 wt% Pd/Cu foil as the H₂ selective layer. Testing of the membrane reactor indicates a substantial CO conversion increase in the presence of the membrane, and thus shows the importance of process intensification. Long-term testing of the catalysts show gradual activity loss thought to be due in part to reduction of the ceria. This work shows the ease with which fiber-based catalyst materials can be integrated into systems.