Influence of ultrasound treatment over CuZnAlCr mixed oxide catalysts in high-temperature water gas shift reaction

An ultrasonic pretreatment was applied to prepare ZnO-CuO-Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃ mixed oxide catalysts for high-temperature water-gas shift reactions. XRD, BET, SEM, EDX, TPR, TGA, and FT-IR characterization tests were administered. Sonication time (1, 1.5, 2.5 h) and power (70, 140, 210 W) studied. Characterization results indicated that ultrasonic waves significantly accelerated the chemical reaction, effectively decreasing particle agglomeration and increasing particle distribution uniformity. In SEM images, the particle size of the prepared sample with 30 % ultrasonic intensity is reduced with a uniform size distribution that increases surface area and creates excellent performance. The significant impact of ultrasound irradiation has been demonstrated in the development and growth of particles under various experimental synthesis conditions. The sample synthesized under 1.5 hour of ultrasound irradiation and 400℃ calcination obtained the best results because of morphology, surface area, and crystallinity contributing factors.