XPS studies of Cu-Cr catalyst deactivation in catalytic heat generators

Changes in the valence state of transition metal cations on the CuCr2O4/α−Al2O3 catalyst under its deactivation in catalytic heat generators have been studied by the XPS method. Partial reduction of the catalyst active component has been revealed. It has been established that a freshly prepared catalyst contains Cr(VI) that is most likely responsible for its high initial activity.