Calcination temperature effects on Pd/alumina catalysts: Particle size, surface species and activity in methane combustion.

The effects of calcination temperature on Pd/γ-alumina catalysts were studied using a variety of techniques to measure particle sizes, surface species, and activity in methane combustion. Pd/Al 2 O 3 catalysts were synthesized using a new impregnation-vortexing method. Three catalysts containing 3.3 wt.% Pd/Al 2 O 3 were calcined at 150 °C, 250 °C, and 500 °C. The light-off temperature for methane combustion was 250-255 °C for all catalysts and 100% methane combustion was achieved at 275 °C in 20 min with the 3Pd/Al 2 O 3 250 °C catalyst under lean methane conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed PdO x and PdO on the catalysts surface, and conversion of some PdO x to PdO and Pd0 after reaction. Particle sizes and dispersions were different in the three fresh and spent catalysts as shown by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and CO pulse chemisorption. In situ and o perando diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) showed that after high temperature calcination, dormant monodentate carbonates are formed at the interface of Pd and alumina on the 3 Pd/Al 2 O 3 500 °C catalyst, which are absent on the 3Pd/Al 2 O 3 250 °C catalyst during reaction. Temperature-responsive CO species were observed for both 3Pd/Al 2 O 3 catalysts, evidencing restructuring of the 3Pd/Al 2 O 3 250 °C catalyst upon heating in accordance with the STEM results. The results indicate a varying degree of strong metal-support interactions, resulting in different adsorbed species over the catalysts during methane oxidation reaction. We suggest that, over the 3Pd/Al 2 O 3 250 °C catalyst, the desorption of carbonates frees OH groups at the Pd-Al 2 O 3 interface, which can react (with other OH or H) and desorb as water, a step which can be rate limiting on methane oxidation over Pd/Al 2 O 3 at low temperatures. This research study highlights the possibility of altering catalytic properties and surfaces through calcination at different temperatures. [Display omitted] • Pd/alumina catalysts calcined at three temperatures had different methane activity. • Calcination temperature changed nanoparticle sizes and surface species. • Operando DRIFTS showed dormant carbonate species adsorbed on Pd/Al 2 O 3 500 °C catalyst • Evolution of adsorbed CO species evidenced restructuring of Pd/Al 2 O 3 250 °C catalyst • Complete methane combustion was achieved at 275 °C with Pd/Al 2 O 3 250 °C catalyst [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]