Catalytic Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide oxidation remains a cornerstone of environmental catalysis, converting toxic CO to benign CO₂ via metal-mediated surface reactions. Central to this process are transition-metal active sites on high-surface-area supports that lower activation barriers and enable operation near ambient temperature. Reaction pathways often follow a Mars–van Krevelen mechanism, in which lattice oxygen oxidises CO before being replenished from the gas phase. A broad range of catalysts, including noble metals, mixed-metal oxides and perovskites, has been investigated for three-way vehicle converters, indoor air purifiers and industrial flue-gas treatments. Recent efforts focus on defect engineering, dopant modulation and support interactions to balance activity, stability and resistance to poisons such as water or sulphur species. Advances in nanoscale synthesis and in situ characterisation have deepened mechanistic insights, guiding the rational design of catalysts capable of achieving complete conversion at ever-lower temperatures and under challenging real-world conditions.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have explored Cu–Mn–Sn catalysts doped with tin to enhance active site density and suppress water-induced deactivation. Self-assembled Cu–Mn–Sn systems exhibit increased Cu⁺ concentration and a higher proportion of surface-adsorbed and lattice oxygen species. Improved coordination environments reduce carbonate formation under humid conditions, maintaining high conversion rates in underground or high-moisture environments. This approach highlights the role of dopant-induced modulation of surface oxygen species in achieving robust performance at ambient temperatures.

Catalytic Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Catalytic oxidation: A reaction in which a catalyst accelerates the transformation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide by facilitating oxygen transfer.

Oxygen vacancy: A defect site in a metal oxide lattice where an oxygen atom is missing, enhancing adsorption and activation of reactant molecules.

Turnover frequency (TOF): The number of substrate molecules converted per active site per unit time, indicating catalyst efficiency.

Mars–van Krevelen mechanism: A reaction pathway in which lattice oxygen from the catalyst oxidises CO, followed by replenishment of oxygen from the gas phase.

Catalyst support: A material, often an oxide, that disperses and stabilises active metal species, influencing surface area and reaction kinetics.

References

1. Copper-Containing Mixed Metal Oxides (Al, Fe, Mn) for Application in Three-Way Catalysis. Catalysts (2020).
2. Solid-State Construction of CuOx/Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 Nanocomposite with Abundant Surface CuOx Species and Oxygen Vacancies to Promote CO Oxidation Activity. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022).
3. DRIFTS-MS Investigation of Low-Temperature CO Oxidation on Cu-Doped Manganese Oxide Prepared Using Nitrate Aerosol Decomposition. Molecules (2023).
4. Study on the catalytic mechanism and water resistance of Cu-Mn-Snx catalyst for CO elimination. Scientific Reports (2025).