Kinetics of PdO combustion catalysis

Generating active metal/oxide reverse interfaces through coordinated migration of single atoms

Identification of active sites in catalytic materials is important and helps establish approaches to the precise design of catalysts for achieving high reactivity. Generally, active sites of conventional heterogeneous catalysts can be single atom, nanoparticle or a metal/oxide interface. Herein, we report that metal/oxide reverse interfaces can also be active sites which are created from the coordinated migration of metal and oxide atoms. As an example, a Pd1/CeO2 single-atom catalyst prepared via atom trapping, which is otherwise inactive at 30 °C, is able to completely oxidize formaldehyde after steam treatment. The enhanced reactivity is due to the formation of a Ce2O3-Pd nanoparticle domain interface, which is generated by the migration of both Ce and Pd atoms on the atom-trapped Pd1/CeO2 catalyst during steam treatment. We show that the generation of metal oxide-metal interfaces can be achieved in other heterogeneous catalysts due to the coordinated mobility of metal and oxide atoms, demonstrating the formation of a new active interface when using metal single-atom material as catalyst precursor.

Abatement of photochemical smog precursors through complete hydrocarbon oxidation over commercial Pd catalysts under fuel-lean conditions with NO promoting effect

Currently, severe environmental issues have led to a great transition in the automotive industry from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles, but this transition will take time more than 10 years, which still requires the use of internal combustion engine vehicles. However, these vehicles emit a significant amount of hydrocarbons, in addition to nitrogen oxides (NOx), due to incomplete fuel combustion. They contribute to the formation of photochemical smog when they react with NOx in the presence of sunlight. To effectively remove these hydrocarbons from the exhaust gas of turbo-gasoline engines or diesel engines, we investigated the abatement of propane and iso-pentane, two typical hydrocarbons. In particular, we studied commercial Pd catalysts and revealed how the Pd loading and aging process simulating 4k and 100k mileage affected hydrocarbon abatement abilities, and their phases were identified using characterization technique, including CO chemisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). We also suggested the reaction pathway for the complete oxidation of propane over Pd catalyst based on the reaction orders of propane and oxygen: Propane adsorbs on O atoms of PdO, and the kinetically relevant C-H bond cleavage step occurs by the interaction with abundant neighboring O atoms of PdO. Finally, the propane and iso-pentane abatement ability of the Pd catalyst aged for 100k mileage were evaluated under realistic exhaust gas conditions, and the effect of each gas component in the realistic exhaust gas was identified; water inhibits the catalytic reaction of hydrocarbons by occupying the active sites, whereas NO catalyzes the hydrocarbon oxidation reaction by either changing the reaction pathway or active sites under fuel-lean conditions. These findings enable us to effectively reduce environmental pollution and facilitate a smoother transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles.

Progress on metal-support interactions in Pd-based catalysts for automobile emission control

The interactions between metals and oxide supports, so-called metal-support interactions (MSI), are of great importance in heterogeneous catalysis. Pd-based automotive exhaust control catalysts, especially Pd-based three-way catalysts (TWCs), have received considerable research attention owing to its prominent oxidation activity of HCs/CO, as well as excellent thermal stability. For Pd-based TWCs, the dispersion, chemical state and thermal stability of Pd species, which are crucial to the catalytic performance, are closely associated with interactions between metal nanoparticles and their supporting matrix. Progress on the research about MSI and utilization of MSI in advanced Pd-based three-way catalysts are reviewed here. Along with the development of advanced synthesis approaches and engine control technology, the study on MSI would play a notable role in further development of catalysts for automobile exhaust control.

Environmental catalysts advance focused on lattice oxygen for the decomposition of harmful organic compounds

The recent industrial growth has made our lives more comfortable; however, it has led to an increase in the concentration of harmful compounds, such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (e.g., toluene), and phenolic compounds (e.g., phenol and cresol), in the environment. Catalytic oxidation using environmental catalysts is an important method for the removal of harmful compounds. To date, novel environmental catalysts have been developed from unique concepts based on solid-state ionics. In particular, the oxygen supply ability of a promoter can supply active oxygen from inside the lattice to the catalytically active site. Our catalysts exhibited high activity for the oxidation of harmful chemicals under moderate conditions in both the gaseous and liquid phases compared to conventional catalysts. This short review article describes our concepts of material design and our novel catalysts (ceria-zirconia (CeO2-ZrO2), apatite-type lanthanum silicate (La10Si6O27), and lanthanum oxyfluoride (LaOF) based catalysts).

Biochar Synthesis from Mineral- and Ash-Rich Waste Biomass, Part 1: Investigation of Thermal Decomposition Mechanism during Slow Pyrolysis

Synthesizing biochar from mineral- and ash-rich waste biomass (MWB), a by-product of human activities in urban areas, can result in renewable and versatile multi-functional materials, which can also cater to the need of solid waste management. Hybridizing biochar with minerals, silicates, and metals is widely investigated to improve parent functionalities. MWB intrinsically possesses such foreign materials. The pyrolysis of such MWB is kinetically complex and requires detailed investigation. Using TGA-FTIR, this study investigates and compares the kinetics and decomposition mechanism during pyrolysis of three types of MWB: (i) mineral-rich banana peduncle (BP), (ii) ash-rich sewage sludge (SS), and (iii) mineral and ash-rich anaerobic digestate (AD). The results show that the pyrolysis of BP, SS, and AD is exothermic, catalyzed by its mineral content, with heat of pyrolysis 5480, 4066, and 1286 kJ/kg, respectively. The pyrolysis favors char formation kinetics mainly releasing CO₂ and H₂O. The secondary tar reactions initiate from ≈318 °C (BP), 481 °C (SS), and 376 °C (AD). Moreover, negative apparent activation energies are intrinsic to their kinetics after 313 °C (BP), 448 °C (SS), and 339 °C (AD). The results can support in tailoring and controlling sustainable biochar synthesis from slow pyrolysis of MWB.

In situ surface analysis of palladium-platinum alloys in methane oxidation conditions

Palladium and palladium-platinum foils were analysed using temperature-programmed near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (TP-NAP-XPS) under methane oxidation conditions. Oxidation of palladium is inhibited by the presence of water, and in oxygen-poor environments. Pt addition further inhibits oxidation of palladium across all reaction conditions, preserving metallic palladium to higher temperatures. Bimetallic foils underwent significant restructuring under reaction conditions, with platinum preferentially migrating to the bulk under select conditions.

Influence of NOx on the activity of Pd/θ-Al2O3 catalyst for methane oxidation: Alleviation of transient deactivation

Alumina supported Pd catalyst (Pd/Al₂O₃) is active for complete oxidation of methane, while often suffers transient deactivation during the cold down process. Herein, heating and cooling cycle tests between 200 and 900°C and isothermal experiments at 650°C were conducted to investigate the influence of NO_x on transient deactivation of Pd/θ-Al₂O₃ catalyst during the methane oxidation. It was found that the co-fed of NO alleviated transient deactivation in the cooling ramp from 800 to 500°C, which was resulted from the in situ formation of NO₂ during the process of methane oxidation. Over the Pd/θ-Al₂O₃, thermogravimetric analysis and O₂ temperature programmed oxidation measurements confirmed that transient deactivation was due to the decomposition of PdO particles and the hysteresis of Pd reoxidation, while the metal Pd entities were less active for methane oxidation than the PdO ones. CO pulse chemisorption and scanning transmission electron microscopy characterizations rule out the NO₂ effect on Pd size change. Powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations were used to obtain palladium status of Pd/θ-Al₂O₃ before and after reactions, indicating that in lean conditions at 650°C, the presence of NO₂ increases the content of active PdO on the catalyst surface, thus benefits methane oxidation. Homogeneous reaction between CH₄, O₂, and NO_x may be partially responsible for the alleviation above 650°C. The interesting research of alleviation in transient deactivation by NO_x, the components co-existing in exhausts, are of great significance for the application.

Synthesis of Thin Titania Coatings onto the Inner Surface of Quartz Tubes and Their Photoactivity in Decomposition of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B

An evaporation-deposition coating method for coating the inner surface of long (>1 m) quartz tubes of small diameter has been studied by the introduction of two-phase (gas-liquid) flow with the gas core flowing in the middle and a thin liquid film of synthesis sol flowing near the hot tube wall. The operational window for the deposition of continuous titania coatings has been obtained. The temperature range for the deposition of continuous titania coatings is limited to 105–120 °C and the gas flow rate is limited to the range of 0.4–1.0 L min−1. The liquid flow rate in the annular flow regime allows to control the coating thickness between 3 and 10 micron and the coating porosity between 10% and 20%. By increasing the liquid flow rate, the coating porosity can be substantially reduced. The coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 chemisorption, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The coatings were tested in the photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue and rhodamine B under UV-light and their activity was similar to that of a commercial P25 titania catalyst.

Structural Evolution of Bimetallic PtPd/CeO2 Methane Oxidation Catalysts Prepared by Dry Milling

Bimetallic Pt-Pd catalysts supported on ceria have been prepared by mechanochemical synthesis and tested for lean methane oxidation in dry and wet atmosphere. Results show that the addition of platinum has a negative effect on transient light-off activity, but for Pd/Pt molar ratios between 1:1 and 8:1 an improvement during time-on-stream experiments in wet conditions is observed. The bimetallic samples undergo a complex restructuring during operation, starting from the alloying of Pt and Pd and resulting in the formation of unprecedented "mushroom-like" structures consisting of PdO bases with Pt heads as revealed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis. On milled samples, these structures are well-defined and observed at the interface between palladium and ceria, whereas those on the impregnated catalyst appear less ordered and are located randomly on the surface of ceria and of large PdPt clusters. The milled catalyst prepared by first milling Pd metal and ceria followed by the addition of Pt shows better performances compared to a conventional impregnated sample and also to a sample obtained by inverting the Pd-Pt milling order. This has been ascribed to the intimate contact between Pd and CeO₂ generated at the nanoscale during the milling process.

Stable Performance of Supported PdOx Catalyst on Mesoporous Silica-Alumina of Water Tolerance for Methane Combustion under Wet Conditions

In methane combustion, water tolerance of Pd-based catalysts is quite critical for stable performance, because water is produced in situ and a water-containing feed is used under real conditions. Herein, water-tolerant mesoporous silica-alumina (H-MSA) was prepared by solvent deficient precipitation (SDP) using triethoxy(octyl)silane (TEOOS) and aluminum isopropoxide (AIP). The H-MSA was more tolerant to water than γ-alumina, mesoporous alumina (MA), and mesoporous silica-alumina (MSA) synthesized by using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), because of the silica present on the external particle surface. Moreover, it exhibited better textural properties, leading to higher dispersion of PdOx. The PdOx catalyst supported on H-MSA was quite durable in repeated temperature-programmed cycles and isothermal tests in the presence of water vapor, compared to the reference PdOx catalysts. The measured stability was attributed to the water tolerance, weak Lewis acidity, and penta-coordinated Al species of the H-MSA support, which was preferentially imparted when TEOOS was added for substitution of 5 mol% AIP for the synthesis of H-MSA. Therefore, the SDP method employed herein is useful in endowing supported PdOx catalysts with the water tolerance necessary for stable methane combustion performance under wet conditions.

Onset of High Methane Combustion Rates over Supported Palladium Catalysts: From Isolated Pd Cations to PdO Nanoparticles

Industrial low-temperature methane combustion catalyst Pd/Al₂O₃ suffers from H₂O-induced deactivation. It is imperative to design Pd catalysts free from this deactivation and with high atomic efficiency. Using a small-pore zeolite SSZ-13 as support, herein we report well-defined Pd catalysts with dominant active species as finely dispersed Pd cations, uniform PdO particles embedded inside the zeolite framework, or PdO particles decorating the zeolite external surface. Through detailed reaction kinetics and spectroscopic and microscopic studies, we show that finely dispersed sites are much less active than PdO nanoparticles. We further demonstrate that H₂O-induced deactivation can be readily circumvented by using zeolite supports with high Si/Al ratios. Finally, we provide a few rational catalyst design suggestions for methane oxidation based on the new knowledge learned in this study.

Reconstruction and catalytic activity of hybrid Pd(100)/(111) monolayer on γ-Al2O3(100) in CH4, H2O, and O2 dissociation

The importance of the "heterogeneity" of a Pd monolayer induced by interaction with a semi-ionic support in catalysis was evaluated. The geometry of the Pd monolayer was optimized on the (100) plane of γ-Al2O3 at fixed unit cell parameters defined by the oxide. Simulation of the deposition of a whole Pd monolayer in the flat Pd(100) form cut from the bulk led to the formation of a slightly distorted Pd(111) monolayer. The subsequent chemisorption or dissociation of CH4 or H2O on the Pd(111) layer resulted in a new hybrid Pd(100)/(111) structure containing alternating elements of (100) and (111) planes (the parallel bands of squares and triangles), which are similar for both CH4 and H2O reactions, and two isolated Pd mono-vacancies, respectively. The hybrid Pd(100)/(111) layer without chemisorbed species was found to be more stable than the initial distorted Pd(111) layer. The catalytic capabilities of these monolayer structures were investigated for the dissociation of methane and the water-gas shift reaction (WGSR) due to the lower predicted activation barriers for CH4, H2O, and O2 dissociation on the hybrid Pd(100)/(111) layer compared to that on the pure (bulk) Pd(100) surface. Moreover, the exothermic heats of these reactions were calculated to be moderate instead of endothermic heats on the Pd(100) or Pd(111) surfaces. The heats of H2O and NH3 adsorption on various monolayers were tested, revealing their dependence on Pd atomic charges. The relevance of the model of the heterogeneous Pd monolayer for explaining the maximum reaction rate experimentally observed at different Pd coverages was discussed. The transferability of the geometry and the extent of charge inhomogeneity of the hybrid monolayer without vacancies were also tested on the same γ-Al2O3(100) support for Pt, Rh, and Ag.

Current scenario of CNG vehicular pollution and their possible abatement technologies: an overview

Compressed natural gas is an alternative green fuel for automobile industry. Recently, the Indian government is targeting to replace all the conventional fuel vehicles by compressed natural gas (CNG) automobiles due to its several merits. Still, the presence of a significant amount of CO, CH₄, and NO_x gases in the CNG vehicle exhaust are quiet a matter of concern. Thus, to control the emissions from CNG engines, the major advances are under development of and oxidation is one of them in catalytic converter. In literature, the catalysts such as noble and non-noble metals have been reported for separate oxidation of CO and CH_4.. Experimentally, it was found that non-noble metal catalysts are preferred due to its low cost, good thermal stability, and molding tractability. In literature, several articles have been published for CO and CH₄ oxidation but no review paper is still available. Thus, the present review provides a comprehensive overview of separate as well as simultaneous CO and CH₄ oxidation reactions for CNG vehicular emission control.

Spatially-resolved investigation of the water inhibition of methane oxidation over palladium

Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts are known to be active for low temperature methane oxidation reactions, however it has been shown that gases normally associated with methane gas streams (H₂O, CO₂, H₂S) can have an inhibitory effect on the total oxidation reaction.

Gas Phase Catalytic Hydrogenation of C4 Alkynols over Pd/Al2O3

Alkenols are commercially important chemicals employed in the pharmaceutical and agro-food industries. The conventional production route via liquid phase (batch) alkynol hydrogenation suffers from the requirement for separation/purification unit operations to extract the target product. We have examined, for the first time, the continuous gas phase hydrogenation (P = 1 atm; T = 373 K) of primary (3-butyn-1-ol), secondary (3-butyn-2-ol) and tertiary (2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol) C4 alkynols using a 1.2% wt. Pd/Al2O3 catalyst. Post-TPR, the catalyst exhibited a narrow distribution of Pdδ- (based on XPS) nanoparticles in the size range 1-6 nm (mean size = 3 nm from STEM). Hydrogenation of the primary and secondary alkynols was observed to occur in a stepwise fashion (-C≡C- → -C=C- → -C-C-) while alkanol formation via direct -C≡C- → -C-C- bond transformation was in evidence in the conversion of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol. Ketone formation via double bond migration was promoted to a greater extent in the transformation of secondary (vs. primary) alkynol. Hydrogenation rate increased in the order primary < secondary < tertiary. The selectivity and reactivity trends are accounted for in terms of electronic effects.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of oxidative methane activation on Pd–Pt catalysts

Density functional theory (DFT) and measurements of rate are used to provide evidence for the rate determining step (RDS) and requirements of the active site for CH₄ combustion on Pd–Pt bimetallic catalysts in five different distinct kinetic regimes. These five regimes exhibit different rate equations for methane combustion due to the reaction rate constants and diverse dominant adsorbed species for these different kinetically relevant steps. Oxygen chemical potential at the Pd–Pt surface was replaced by oxygen pressure, reflecting the kinetic coupling between C–H and O Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> O bond cleavage steps. C–H bond cleavage occurs on different active sites in five of these kinetic regimes, evolving from vacancy–vacancy (*–*) to oxygen–vacancy (O*–*), oxygen–oxygen (O*–O*) site pairs, monolayer Pd–O, and ultimately to oxide bulk with Pd–O site pairs as the oxygen chemical potential increases. It is easier to form a metallic surface at low oxygen pressure, implying minimal O* coverage. The sole kinetically relevant step on uncovered Pd–Pt surfaces for methane combustion is OO bond cleavage. The supply of oxygen is obviously more important than the supply of methane in regime (I). As vacancies become less available on metallic surfaces, C–H bond cleavage occurs via O*–* paired sites, the energy barrier of which is much higher than that on uncovered Pd–Pt surfaces. In this regime (II), OO bond cleavage is still an irreversible process because O* will be consumed by the rapidly formed products of methane dissociation. For the oxygen saturated surfaces in regime (III), C–H bond cleavage occurs on two adjacent adsorbed oxygens that form OH and weak CH₃–O bond interactions, resulting in a low activity for methane combustion. On the oxidation surfaces (IV and V), exposed metal atoms and their adjacent exposed lattice oxygen were the active sites, leading to a large decrease in C–H bond cleavage energy barrier, deduced from both experiment and theory. The increase of the metallic oxide thickness (increase of oxygen potential) increases the methane combustion turnover rates on Pd–Pt catalysts.

Density functional theory and measurements of rate are used to provide evidence for the rate determining step and requirements of the active site for CH₄ combustion on Pd–Pt bimetallic catalysts in five different distinct kinetic regimes.

Oxidation and hydrogenation of Pd: suppression of oxidation by prolonged H2exposure

We investigate the phase transition of a Pd surface in both oxidizing and reducing environments by environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM). ETEM allows us to study sequential exposure of Pd to O₂ and H₂ in the same TEM conditions. First, under ETEM observation, oxidation occurs at step edges but it can also occur at terraces. Second, as the most important result, we observed a novel process where previous exposure to H₂ suppresses new oxidation of the Pd surface. Third, we show by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) that this process, suppression of oxidation by previous exposure to H₂, is not due to the formation of bulk β-phase Pd hydride. We also demonstrate that this process is not present in Pt. Finally, we discuss the hypothesis to explain this phenomenon: formation of surface–Pd–hydride suppresses the new oxidation. This observation, suppression of oxidation by H₂ exposure, may eventually lead to new breakthroughs.

Oxidation of the Pd surface exhibits dependence on the history of pre-exposure to H₂.

Sulfation of a PdO(101) methane oxidation catalyst: mechanism revealed by first principles calculations

PdO efficiently catalyzes the oxidation of methane but suffers tremendously from sulfur poisoning that lowers its catalytic activity.

Critical Review of Low-Temperature CO Oxidation and Hysteresis Phenomenon on Heterogeneous Catalysts

There is a growing demand for new heterogeneous catalysts for cost-effective catalysis. Currently, the hysteresis phenomenon during low-temperature CO oxidation is an important topic in heterogeneous catalysis. Hysteresis provides important information about fluctuating reaction conditions that affect the regeneration of active sites and indicate the restoration of catalyst activity. Understanding its dynamic behavior, such as hysteresis and self-sustained kinetic oscillations, during CO oxidation, is crucial for the development of cost-effective, stable and long-lasting catalysts. Hysteresis during CO oxidation has a direct influence on many industrial processes and its understanding can be beneficial to a broad range of applications, including long-life CO2 lasers, gas masks, catalytic converters, sensors, indoor air quality, etc. This review considers the most recent reported advancements in the field of hysteresis behavior during CO oxidation which shed light on the origin of this phenomenon and the parameters that influence the type, shape, and width of the conversion of the hysteresis curves.

Novel Catalysts for Methane Combustion Based on Cobalt-Doped Lanthanum Silicates Having an Apatite-type Structure

Novel PdO/La₁₀Si_6-xCo_xO_27-δ/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts with applications to methane combustion were developed. These materials were based on the use of La₁₀Si_6-xCo_xO_27-δ as a promoter because this compound has an oxide-ion conducting apatite-type structure that allows the smooth migration of active oxygen to the PdO activator. Co^3+/2+ ions were also introduced into the original La₁₀Si₆O₂₇ lattice to enhance its redox properties. Temperature-programmed reduction measurements revealed that the oxygen supply was facilitated by introducing Co^3+/2+, where the reduction was observed at 290 °C for La₁₀Si_6-xCo_xO_27-δ (x = 1.0), whereas no reduction was observed below 460 °C for La₁₀Si₆O₂₇. Among the samples synthesized in this work, PdO/La₁₀Si_6-xCo_xO_27-δ/γ-Al₂O₃ (x = 1.0) exhibited the highest catalytic activity, allowing the complete oxidation of methane at 310 °C, a temperature 80 °C lower than the 390 °C required when employing PdO/La₁₀Si₆O₂₇/γ-Al₂O₃.

An In situ TEM study of the surface oxidation of palladium nanocrystals assisted by electron irradiation

The surface oxidation of palladium nanocrystals plays an important role in changing the active sites and subsequently influencing the catalytic reactivity. Such a microscopy study on surface oxidation, down to the atomic scale, is essential for understanding the structure-property correlations of palladium nanocrystal based catalysts. Herein, we present an in situ atomic scale study on the surface oxidation behavior of palladium nanocrystals, which is induced by electron beam irradiation under low oxygen partial pressure and at room temperature inside an environmental transmission electron microscope. We found that: (i) surface oxidation initially started at the edge sites with atomic steps or vertex sites, which served as active sites for oxidation; (ii) the oxidation reaction proceeded with a much faster rate on the {111} surface, indicating a certain crystallography preference; (iii) nanometer-sized palladium monoxide islands were formed on the surfaces eventually. The results from our in situ studies provide insightful knowledge, and will be of certain importance for the design of improved functional catalysts in future.

The effect of water on methane oxidation over Pd/Al2O3 under lean, stoichiometric and rich conditions

Methane conversion during cooling ramp: water inhibits methane conversion more severely in high oxygen concentration.