Pd/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2/Al2O3 as advanced materials for three-way catalysts: Part 1. Catalyst characterisation, thermal stability and catalytic activity in the reduction of NO by CO

Pd-loaded Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ solid solutions supported on Al₂O₃ are investigated as catalysts for the reduction of NO by CO. The attention is focused on the role of the Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ and of the Pd dispersion on the catalytic activity. The system shows a very high activity below 500 K, which is almost independent on the Pd dispersion. The high activity is attributed to a promoting effect of the Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ on the NO conversion. Investigation of the influence of high temperature treatments disclosed a thermal stabilisation of both Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ and Al₂O₃ in the Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂/Al₂O₃ system.     

Pd–Ce interactions and adsorption properties of palladium: CO and NO TPD studies over Pd–Ce/Al2O3 catalysts

We have examined the adsorption of CO and NO on powder Pd/Al₂O₃, Pd–Ce/Al₂O₃ and CeO₂/Al₂O₃ catalysts, using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). For CO adsorption on oxidized and pre-reduced Pd–Ce/Al₂O₃ TPD profiles are identical to those observed for Pd/Al₂O₃, suggesting that interactions between ceria and Pd have a negligible effect on the adsorption properties of CO. It does, however, affect the oxidation state of the palladium particles. For NO, there are differences between Pd/Al₂O₃ and Pd–Ce/Al₂O₃. On oxidized catalysts, Pd/Al₂O₃ is more efficient for NO dissociation. However, pre-reduction increases the amount of NO that can adsorb on Pd–Ce/Al₂O₃ and react to N₂O and N₂. In comparison with Pd/Al₂O₃, reduced Pd–Ce/Al₂O₃catalysts dissociate NO at relatively high temperatures but they are more reactive and favor N₂ over N₂O.     

Strong rhodium–niobia interaction in Rh/Nb2O5, Nb2O5–Rh/SiO2 and RhNbO4/SiO2 catalysts: Application to selective CO oxidation and CO hydrogenation

The extent of Rh–niobia interaction in niobia-supported Rh (Rh/Nb₂O₅), niobia-promoted Rh/SiO₂ (Nb₂O₅–Rh/SiO₂) and RhNbO₄/SiO₂ catalyst after H₂ reduction has been investigated by H₂ and CO chemisorption measurements. These catalysts have been applied to selective CO oxidation in H₂ (CO+H₂+O₂) and CO hydrogenation (CO+H₂), and the results are compared with those of unpromoted Rh/SiO₂ catalysts. It has been found that niobia (NbO_x) increases the activity and selectivity for both the reactions.     

Synthesis and characterization of CuO/TiO2 catalysts for low-temperature CO oxidation

In this paper, the CuO/TiO₂ catalysts prepared by the deposition–precipitation (DP) method were extensively investigated for CO oxidation reaction. The structural characters of the CuO/TiO₂ catalysts were comparatively investigated by TG-DTA, XRD, and XPS measurements. It was shown that the catalytic behavior of CuO/TiO₂ catalysts greatly depended on the TiO₂-support calcination temperature, the CuO loading amount and the CuO/TiO₂ catalysts calcination temperature. CuO supported on the anatase phase of TiO₂-support calcined at 400 °C showed better catalytic activity than those supported on TiO₂ calcined at 500 and 700 °C. Among all our investigated catalysts with CuO loading from 2% to 12%, the catalyst with 8 wt% CuO loading exhibited the highest catalytic activity. The optimum calcination temperature of the CuO/TiO₂ catalysts was 300 °C. The XRD results indicated that the catalytic activity of the CuO/TiO₂ catalysts was related to the crystal phase and particle size of TiO₂ support and CuO active component.     

Catalytic reduction of NO by CO over NiO/CeO2 catalyst in stoichiometric NO/CO and NO/CO/O2 reaction

A new catalyst composed of nickel oxide and cerium oxide was studied with respect to its activity for NO reduction by CO under stoichiometric conditions in the absence as well as the presence of oxygen. Activity measurements of the NO/CO reaction were also conducted over NiO/γ-Al₂O₃, NiO/TiO₂, and NiO/CeO₂ catalysts for comparison purposes. The results showed that the conversion of NO and CO are dependent on the nature of supports, and the catalysts decreased in activity in the order of NiO/CeO₂ > NiO/γ-Al₂O₃ > NiO/TiO₂. Three kinds of CeO₂ were prepared and used as support for NiO. They are the CeO₂ prepared by (i) homogeneous precipitation (HP), (ii) precipitation (PC), and (iii) direct decomposition (DP) method. We found that the NiO/CeO₂(HP) catalyst was the most active, and complete conversion of NO and CO occurred at 210 °C at a space velocity of 120,000 h⁻¹. Based on the results of surface analysis, a reaction model for NO/CO interaction over NiO/CeO₂ has been proposed: (i) CO reduces surface oxygen to create vacant sites; (ii) on the vacant sites, NO dissociates to produce N₂; and (iii) the oxygen originated from NO dissociation is removed by CO.     

A comparative study of Ag/Al2O3 and Cu/Al2O3 catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NO by C3H6

The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by C₃H₆ in excess oxygen was evaluated and compared over Ag/Al₂O₃ and Cu/Al₂O₃ catalysts. Ag/Al₂O₃ showed a high activity for NO reduction. However, Cu/Al₂O₃ showed a high activity for C₃H₆ oxidation. The partial oxidation of C₃H₆ gave surface enolic species and acetate species on the Ag/Al₂O₃, but only an acetate species was clearly observed on the Cu/Al₂O₃. The enolic species is a more active intermediate towards NO + O₂ to yield—NCO species than the acetate species on the Ag/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The Ag and Cu metal loadings and phase changes on Al₂O₃ support can affect the activity and selectivity of Ag/Al₂O₃ and Cu/Al₂O₃ catalysts, but the formation of enolic species is the main reason why the activity of the Ag/Al₂O₃ catalyst for NO reduction is higher than that of the Cu/Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

DRIFT study of the interaction of NO and O2 with the surface of Ce0.62Zr0.38O2 as deNOx catalyst

Gas–solid interactions and surface intermediates evolution after NO adsorption onto calcined Ce_0.62Zr_0.38O₂ were investigated. The results of adsorption and temperature-programmed desorption of NO were explained using diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) coupled with temperature-programmed experiments in environmental cell. Surface NO-containing species such as nitrites and nitrates were identified during evolution of NO on the surface of Ce_0.62Zr_0.38O₂ solid solution at low and high temperature. The ceria–zirconia solid solution was found to be active in deNO_x reaction in the presence of a “toluene, propene and propane” mixture.     

Structure–reactivity relationships in VOx/TiO2 catalysts for the oxyhydrative scission of 1-butene and n-butane to acetic acid as examined by in situ-spectroscopic methods and catalytic tests

Different VO_x/TiO₂ catalyst have been catalytically tested and studied by in situ-spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, UV/vis, EPR) in the oxyhydrative scission (OHS) of 1-butene and n-butane to acetic acid (AcOH). While 1-butene OHS follows the sequence butene → butoxide → ketone → AcOH/acetate with a multitude of side products also formed, n-butane OHS leads to AcOH, CO_x and H₂O only. Water vapour in the feed improves AcOH selectivity by blocking adsorption sites for acetate. The admixture of Sb₂O₃ was found to improve AcOH selectivity which is due to deeper V reduction under steady state conditions and lowering of surface acidity. VO_x/TiO₂ catalysts with sulfate-containing anatase are the most effective ones. Covalently bonded sulfate at the catalyst surface causes specific bonding of VO_x, stabilizes active V species and ensures their high dispersity.     

Reduction of NO by CO on Cu/ZrO2/Al2O3 catalysts: Characterization and catalytic activities

ZrO₂, γ-Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂/γ-Al₂O₃-supported copper catalysts have been prepared, each with three different copper loads (1, 2 and 5 wt%), by the impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) with H₂, Raman spectroscopy and electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The reduction of NO by CO was studied in a fixed-bed reactor packed with these catalysts and fed with a mixture of 1% CO and 1% NO in helium. The catalyst with 5 wt% copper supported on the ZrO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ matrix achieved 80% reduction of NO. Approximately the same rate of conversion was obtained on the catalyst with 2 wt% copper on ZrO₂. Characterization of these catalysts indicated that the active copper species for the reduction of NO are those in direct contact with the oxygen vacancies found in ZrO₂.     

Effect of ceria–zirconia ratio on the interaction of CO with PdO/Al2O3–(Cex–Zr1−x)O2 catalysts prepared by sol–gel method

The current work is devoted to study of CO interaction with PdO/Al₂O₃–(Ce_x–Zr_1−x)O₂ catalysts. Ceria–zirconia–alumina supports with different Ce/Zr ratio were prepared by sol–gel technique. The FT-IR characterization of CO adsorbed at −120 and 25 °C on oxidized and reduced samples revealed that Ce/Zr ratio modifies the surface properties of support and oxidation state of palladium. The catalyst with Ce/Zr molar ratio 0.5/0.5 was characterized with the highest ability to stabilize palladium in oxide state and the highest activity to oxidize CO. Redox treatment of catalysts improves their catalytic activity.     

iso-Octane partial oxidation over Ni-Sn/Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 catalysts

In this study, Ni/Ce_0.75Zr_0.25O₂ catalyst was doped with different amounts of Sn by co-impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by BET, H₂ chemisorption, XRD, TPR, TEM, XPS and tested for iso-octane partial oxidation (iC8POX) to H₂ in the temperature range of 400–800 °C at atmospheric pressure. The results showed that most of Sn species were present on the surface of Ni particles and did not modify the reducibility of the support. Addition of a small amount of Sn (<0.5 wt.%) lowered the catalytic activity for iso-octane partial oxidation by less than 5% while the extent of carbon deposition was decreased by more than 50%. However, Sn loadings higher than 1 wt.% caused a massive drop in catalytic activity. This indicates that as long as the Ni surface is only partially covered with Sn species, the active sites for the partial oxidation of iso-octane remain intact, while the surface site ensembles required for carbon formation are blocked.     

On the promotional effect of Pd on the propene-assisted decomposition of NO on chlorinated Ce0.68Zr0.32O2

The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x assisted by propene is investigated on Pd/Ce_0.68Zr_0.32O₂ catalysts (Pd/CZ), and is compared, under identical experimental conditions, with that found on a Pd/SiO₂ reference catalyst. Physico-chemical characterisation of the studied catalysts along with their catalytic properties indicate that Pd is not fully reduced to metallic Pd for the Pd/CZ catalysts. This study shows that the incorporation of Pd to CZ greatly promotes the reduction of NO in the presence of C₃H₆. These catalysts display very stable deNO_x activity even in the presence of 1.7% water, the addition of which induces a reversible deactivation of about 10%. The much higher N₂ selectivity obtained on Pd/CZ suggests that the lean deNO_x mechanism occurring on these catalysts is different from that occurring on Pd⁰/SiO₂. A detailed mechanism is proposed for which CZ achieves both NO oxidation to NO₂ and NO decomposition to N₂, whereas PdO_x activates C₃H₆ via ad-NO₂ species, intermediately producing R-NO_x compounds that further decompose to NO and C_xH_yO_z. The role of the latter oxygenates is to reduce CZ to provide the catalytic sites responsible for NO decomposition. The proposed C₃H₆-assisted NO decomposition mechanism stresses the key role of NO₂, R-NO_x and C_xH_yO_z as intermediates of the SCR of NO_x by hydrocarbons.     

Preferential oxidation of CO over CuO/CeO2 and Pt-Co/Al2O3 catalysts in micro-channel reactors

Micro-channel plates with dimension of 1 mm × 0.3 mm × 48 mm were prepared by chemical etching of stainless steel plates followed by wash coating of CeO₂ and Al₂O₃ on the channels. After coating the support on the plate, Pt, Co, and Cu were added to the plate by incipient wetness method. Reaction experiments of a single reactor showed that the micro-channel reactor coated with CuO/CeO₂ catalyst was highly selective for CO oxidation while the one coated with Pt-Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst was highly active for CO oxidation. The 7-layered reactors coated with two different catalysts were prepared by laser welding and the performances of each reactor were tested in large scale of PROX conditions. The multi-layered reactor coated with Pt-Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst was highly active for PROX and the outlet concentration of CO gradually increased with the O₂/CO ratio due to the oxidation of H₂ which maintained the reactor temperature. The multi-layered reactor coated with CuO/CeO₂ showed lower catalytic activity than that coated with Pt catalyst, but its selectivity was not changed with the increase of O₂/CO ratios due to the high selectivity. In order to combine advantages (high activity and high selectivity) of the two individual catalysts (Pt-Co/Al₂O₃, CuO/CeO₂), a serial reactor was prepared by connecting the two multi-layered micro-channel reactors with different catalysts. The prepared serial reactor exhibited excellent performance for PROX.     

CO oxidation catalysts based on copper and manganese or cobalt oxides supported on MgF2 and Al2O3

The catalytic activity of a mixed phase of copper–cobalt and copper–manganese oxides supported on magnesium fluorine or alumina has been studied in low temperature CO oxidation at 30 °C. During calcination, the oxides studied partially react to form different type spinels depending on the calcination temperature. These spinels have different effect on the catalytic activity. In low temperature CO oxidation the copper–manganese catalysts are more active than the copper–cobalt ones.     

Lean NOx reduction with CO + H2 mixtures over Pt/Al2O3 and Pd/Al2O3 catalysts

The reduction of NO_x by hydrogen under lean burn conditions over Pt/Al₂O₃ is strongly poisoned by carbon monoxide. This is due to the strong adsorption and subsequent high coverage of CO, which significantly increases the temperature required to initiate the reaction. Even relatively small concentrations of CO dramatically reduce the maximum NO_x conversions achievable. In contrast, the presence of CO has a pronounced promoting influence in the case of Pd/Al₂O₃. In this case, although pure H₂ and pure CO are ineffective for NO_x reduction under lean burn conditions, H₂/CO mixtures are very effective. With a realistic (1:3) H₂:CO ratio, typical of actual exhaust gas, Pd/Al₂O₃ is significantly more active than Pt/Al₂O₃, delivering 45% NO_x conversion at 160 °C, compared to >15% for Pt/Al₂O₃ under identical conditions. The nature of the support is also critically important, with Pd/Al₂O₃ being much more active than Pd/SiO₂. Possible mechanisms for the improved performance of Pd/Al₂O₃ in the presence of H₂+CO are discussed.     

Pd-based (Ce,Zr)Ox-supported catalysts: Promoting effect of base metals (Cr, Cu, Ni) in CO and NO elimination

A series of Pd–M bimetallic three-way catalysts (M = Cr, Cu and Ni) supported on a (Ce,Zr)O_x material has been characterized using a combination of X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, and employing in situ diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared and X-ray near-edge structure spectroscopies to analyse the redox and chemical processes taking place during light-off conditions under CO, NO and O₂. The catalytic behaviour of these bimetallic systems was strongly affected by the degree of interaction between the noble and base metals in the calcined state. Among the base metals tested, Ni appeared to exert the least influence over the noble metal state/behaviour after calcination and under reaction conditions. Cr and Cu appear to interact with Pd in the calcined state, leading to a reduction in the temperature at which Pd was converted to Pd(0) with simultaneous formation of a binary PdM alloy during the reaction run. At high temperature, these alloy phases evolved into pure metallic Pd(0) particles and, in the case of the Cu-containing catalyst, result in a strong interaction with the support. The catalytic performance of these three Pd–M systems in the CO and NO elimination reactions are correlated with the nature and properties of the oxidized and reduced Pd-containing phases which are present in each case.     

NO reduction with NH3 over chromia–vanadia catalysts supported on TiO2: an in situ Raman spectroscopic study

In situ Raman spectroscopy was used for studying the ternary 2% CrO₃–6% V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalyst, for which a synergistic effect between vanadia and chromia leads to enhanced catalytic performance for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH₃. The structural properties of this catalyst were studied under NH₃/NO/O₂/N₂/SO₂/H₂O atmospheres at temperatures up to 400 °C and major structural interactions between the surface chromia and vanadia species are observed. The effects of oxygen, ammonia, water vapor and sulfur dioxide presence on the in situ Raman spectra are presented and discussed.     

Optimal promotion by rubidium of the CO + NO reaction over Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalysts

The reduction of NO by CO over Rb-promoted Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts has been investigated over a wide range of temperature (ca. 200–500°C), partial pressures of reactants and promoter loadings. For purposes of comparison, K- and Cs-promoted Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were tested under the same conditions. Rubidium strongly enhanced both catalytic activity and N₂-selectivity. Rate increases by factors as high as 110 and 45 for the production of N₂ and CO₂, respectively, relative to unpromoted Pt were obtained, accompanied by substantial increase in N₂-selectivity (e.g. from 24 to 82% at 350°C and [CO]=0.5%, [NO]=1%). Under stoichiometric conditions, Rb-promoted catalysts gave 100% conversion of both reactants with 100% selectivity towards N₂ at T350°C and at an effective reactant contact time of only 0.5 s. In contrast, under the same conditions unpromoted Pt delivered <30% conversion and poor N₂-selectivity (approximately <40%); even at 480°C the conversion was only 60%. The observed promotional effects are ascribed to alkali-induced changes in the chemisorption bond strengths of CO, NO and NO dissociation products which lead to the observed activity enhancement and dependence of N₂-selectivity on promoter loading. The effects of K-promotion mirror those of Rb-promotion, but are significantly less pronounced. Rb is the best alkali promoter.     

Reactivity of V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalysts in the selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide by ammonia

The physico-chemical characteristics and the reactivity of sub-monolayer V₂O₅-WO₃/TiO₂ deNO_x catalysts is investigated in this work by EPR, FT-IR and reactivity tests under transient conditions. EPR indicates that tetravalent vanadium ions both in magnetically isolated form and in clustered, magnetically interacting form are present over the TiO₂ surface. The presence of tungsten oxide stabilizes the surface V^IV and modifies the redox properties of V₂O₅/TiO₂ samples. Ammonia adsorbs on the catalysts surface in the form of molecularly coordinated species and of ammonium ions. Upon heating, activation of ammonia via an amide species is apparent. V₂O₅-WO₃/TiO₂ catalysts exhibits higher activity than the binary V₂O₅/TiO₂ and WO₃/TiO₂ reference sample. This is related to both higher redox properties and higher surface acidity of the ternary catalysts. Results suggest that the catalyst redox properties control the reactivity of the samples at low temperatures whereas the surface acidity plays an important role in the adsorption and activation of ammonia at high temperatures.     

Adsorption of NO and NO2 on ceria–zirconia of composition Ce0.69Zr0.31O2: A DRIFTS study

In this study, the nature of surface intermediates generated by adsorption of NO and NO₂ on a commercial ceria–zirconia powder of composition Ce_0.69Zr_0.31O₂ was investigated using Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The conditions of occurrence of the main adsorbed species, i.e. nitrites and nitrates, are studied semi-quantitatively as a function of catalyst pre-treatment and/or type of adsorbed NO_x molecule. On the partially reduced ceria–zirconia, the primary role of NO_x is to re-oxidize the surface via adsorption/decomposition on reduced sites. By contrast, the formation of nitrites and nitrates readily occurs on oxidized surfaces, the latter kind of species being strongly promoted in the case of NO₂ adsorption only.