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Graphical abstract: Illustration of the synthesis of Ni/CeO2nanowires by four different methods of incorporation for application as heterogeneous catalyst towards ethanol steam reforming to hydrogen

In this work, we developed experimental model of cobalt heterogeneous catalyst, inserting the active phase into a nanoporous material ordered with the purpose of structurally elucidating the processes that occur during the interaction of the model with molecules. We synthesized the models by inserting cobalt species into a Faujasite zeolite and performed detailed studies of the complexes formed in the interaction of these models with water and carbon dioxide emphasizing electron densities. Regarding the interaction of Faujasite with water, X-ray diffraction showed the physical adsorption of a dense monomolecular film in the nanoporous space. There was no evidence of water entering the sodalite cage. The cell parameter increased with the degree of hydration for Faujasite containing cobalt (CoY). In the case of dehydrated material, cobalt occupied the sites within the hexagonal prism (I) and the sodalite cage (I′). The carbon dioxide adsorbs bridges between adjacent compensation cations located in II. We tested the catalyst models for the oxidation of carbon monoxide and the combustion of hydrogen at low temperatures. The CoY and CoYt models showed different performances in these reactions. The electron density map obtained during the exposure of the CoY model to the oxidation reaction conditions of the CO showed the cobalt within the smallest cavities of the zeolite. In the combustion of hydrogen in CoY, there was consumption of reagents in the temperature range 30–100 °C.