Preparation, evaluation and characterization of copper catalysts for ethanol fuelled diesel engines

Copper-based monolithic honeycomb catalysts for ethanol fuelled diesel engi nes have been prepared and evaluated. The washcoat consisted either of alum ina or titania. Two different methods to apply the active material were use d; incipient wetness impregnation and deposition precipitation. The catalys ts have been evaluated in a laboratory reactor and have been characterised using SEM, XRPD, TEM, TPR, XPS, BET surface area and pore-size distribution measurements. Both the choice of washcoat material as well as the preparat ion method is of importance. Titania as washcoat gave a better performing c atalyst than alumina in this case. Deposition precipitation gave a better c atalyst than incipient wetness impregnation when alumina was used as washco at, as well as at low temperatures for titania catalysts. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.