CO oxidation on Pd/CeO2–ZrO2 catalysts

The promotive effects of cerium oxide on commercial three-way catalysts (TWCs) for purification of motor exhaust gases have been widely investigated in recent years. This work shows the cooperative effects of CeO₂–Pd on the kinetics of CO oxidation over Pd/CeO₂–ZrO₂. Under reducing-to-moderately oxidizing conditions, a zero-order O₂ pressure dependence is found which can be interpreted on the basis of a mechanism involving a reaction between CO adsorbed on Pd and surface oxygen from the support. The high oxygen-exchange capability of the CeO₂–ZrO₂ support, as determined from temperature-programmed reduction/oxygen uptake measurements is suggested as being responsible for such a catalytic behavior.