Abstract
Nanocrystallite iron oxide powders were prepared by co-precipitation method using highly purified FeCl
3 and NH
4OH solution. The prepared powders were tested for the catalytic oxidation of CO to CO
2. The effect of oxidation temperature on the catalytic reaction was isothermally investigated using advanced quadrpole mass gas analyzer system. The mechanism of the catalytic oxidation reaction was estimated from the experimental data. Fe
2O
3 nanocrystallite of 78
nm shows a good response towards catalytic CO oxidation at the temperature range 200–500
°C. The catalytic oxidation efficiency reached 98% at 400–500
°C. The reaction was found to be first order with respect to CO. The average activation energy of the reaction was found to be 26.3
kJ/mol which is smaller than the values reported in the literatures. The mechanism of CO catalytic oxidation was investigated by comparing the CO catalytic oxidation data in the absence and presence of oxygen. It was found that the catalytic oxidation of CO over Fe
2O
3 nanocrystallite proceeded by adsorption mechanism. Based on the experimental results, Fe
2O
3 nanocrystallite powders can be recommended as a promising catalyst for CO oxidation.