Preferential Oxidation (PROX) is a method used to selectively oxidize CO in the presence of hydrogen, which is crucial for fuel cell applications where CO can poison the catalyst. The reaction is:
CO + 0.5 O2 → CO2
Catalysts like gold or platinum supported on alumina (Al2O3) are used to ensure that CO is preferentially oxidized over hydrogen, maintaining the efficiency and longevity of the fuel cells.
