Stability and activity of Pd-, Pt- and Pd–Pt catalysts supported on alumina for NO oxidation

Abstract

The association of palladium and platinum supported on alumina was studied for diesel oxidation catalyst application. The effect of propene, water and their combination on NO oxidation activity was investigated in flow reactor over Pt/Al2O3, Pd/Al2O3 and two Pt–Pd/Al2O3 catalysts, prepared by co-impregnation and sequential impregnation of the metals. Contrary to Pd/Al2O3, activity improvement due to the repetition of activity test was observed on Pt/Al2O3 and both Pt–Pd/Al2O3. Metal sintering during activity test was revealed by CO chemisorption. The bimetallic catalysts reached their final stability and activity before Pt/Al2O3. The presence of water decreased the NO oxidation activity of all catalysts and the propene completely inhibited NO oxidation at low temperature until propene combustion occurred. The addition of palladium to Pt/Al2O3 was found very efficient to oxidize propene and therefore significantly limited the inhibition of NO oxidation by propene. A mechanism was proposed to explain the NO oxidation promotion lying behind the addition of Pd. DRIFT measurements and flow reactor experiments showed that propene was less stable and able to react with surface nitrates on Pd-containing catalyst at low temperature (175°C). On Pt/Al2O3, however, the propene consumption proceeded initially through selective catalytic reduction of NO, which took place at higher temperature (240°C). In this way, propene combustion and consequently NO oxidation occurred at lower temperature on bimetallic catalysts than on Pt/Al2O3.