Abstract: A method and apparatus for: providing a ceria aerogel and copper nanoparticle catalyst, flowing a hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and water vapor source gas from an inlet into contact with the catalyst to produce a product gas, and flowing the product gas to an outlet. The concentration of carbon monoxide in the product gas is no more than 50% of the concentration of carbon monoxide in the source gas. The concentration of hydrogen in the product gas is no less than 90% of the concentration of hydrogen in the source gas.

Abstract: A composition having a gadolinium-, samarium-, or lanthanum-substituted porous cerium oxide and copper or gold nanoparticles. The composition can be exposed to electromagnetic radiation to form reactive oxygen species in the composition to decompose organophosphonate compounds. The composition may be made by forming a mixture of a cerium salt; a gadolinium, samarium, or lanthanum salt; and an epoxide; forming gel from the mixture; and drying the gel to form an aerogel, a xerogel, or an ambigel. Copper or gold nanoparticles are added or formed at any point in the method.