Optimization of Pd catalysts supported on $Co_3O_4$ for low-temperature lean combustion of residual methane

A series of Pd/Co 3 O 4 catalysts with increasing palladium loading in the range of 0.5–5 wt.% was prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of Co 3 O 4 . Solution combustion synthesis with urea as a fuel was used to optimize the Co 3 O 4 reactive support for palladium in the combustion of methane in lean conditions. The obtained catalysts were thoroughly examined by XRD, XPS, XRF, RS, FESEM, H 2 -TPR, TGA, and N 2 -BET techniques. The catalytic tests of CH 4 combustion were performed for 0.5, 1, and 2 vol.% CH 4 , with constant lambda value. The obtained results revealed that a sub-stoichiometric fuel-to-oxidizer ratio, 0.75, results in the most catalytically active Co 3 O 4 phase. The important differences in the catalysts’ activity were apparent for the highest CH 4 concentration, with the 3% Pd/Co 3 O 4 being the most active catalyst. The observed activity was explained considering the physicochemical, spectroscopic, and microscopic characterization of the catalysts with the PdO nanocrystals surface distribution being the determining factor for the catalysts’ reactivity. A simple model accounting for the observed dispersion effect is proposed. The model is based on a two types of the interaction of the surface PdO active phase with the Co 3 O 4 support. Firstly, cobalt oxide helps to remove hydroxyl species from the PdO surface, thus making the active sites more available for methane activation. Secondly, cobalt spinel provides lattice oxygen to the PdO phase, again helping to recreate active sites thereon.