New catalysts for the oxidation of carbon monoxide

Catalytic activity of binary and multicomponent semiconductors of the ZnSe-CdTe system prepared in a form of powders and nanofilms in CO oxidation was studied by pulsed flow and circulation flow methods. The conditions of maximal CO conversion were determined from the results of investigation of individual and joint adsorption of the reactants in a broad temperature range, and the specific activity of the catalysts was determined by the specific reaction rate at the specified temperature and composition of the reaction mixture. A noticeable catalytic transformation of CO on the semiconductors under study (up to 78.5%) was noted as low as room temperature. It was concluded that the oxidation of CO and adsorption of the CO + O₂ mixture proceeds mainly by the collisional mechanism. It was noted that the high activity of studied catalysts already at room temperature (the (ZnSe)_0.05(CdTe)_0.95 solid solution possessed the highest activity) and the absence of high-cost metals in their composition allow us to recommend them as low-temperature, relatively low-cost catalysts for the neutralization of CO (carbon monoxide).