Pd/γ-Al_2O_3–TiO_2 catalysts containing various compositions of titania and alumina were prepared by sol–gel and wet-impregnation methods in attempt to study the particle size, nature of phases, morphology and structure of the composite samples. The ethanol oxidation experiments, N_2 adsorption–desorption,FTIR, XRD and XPS were conducted, and the effects of Al_2O_3 content on the surface area, phase transformation and structural properties of TiO_2 were investigated. The optimal value of ethanol conversion appeared on Pd/Al(0.05)–Ti and Pd/Al(0.90)–Ti catalysts irrespective of the ethanol oxidation temperature, and we call this as a double peaks phenomenon of catalytic activity. The XRD results reveal that the phase composition and crystallite size of the mixed oxides depend on Al_2O_3/TiO_2 ratio and calcination temperature. Al_2O_3 can effectively prevent the agglomeration of TiO_2 and this can be ascribed to the formation of Al–O–Ti chemical bonds in Al_2O_3–TiO_2 crystals. Binding energy and Pd surface concentration of the catalysts were modified apparently, which may also lead to catalyst activity changes.
V-Pd/γ-Al2O3-TiO2 catalysts with different vanadium contents were prepared by a combined sol-gel and impregnation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and catalytic removal of ethanol, acetaldehyde and nitrogen oxides at low temperature (<300 ?C) were used to assess the properties of the catalysts. The results showed that the sample with 1wt% vanadium exhibited an excellent catalytic performance for simultaneous removal of ethanol, acetaldehyde and nitrogen oxides. The conversions of ethanol, acetaldehyde and nitrogen oxides at 250 ?C were 100%, 74.4% and 98.7%, respectively. V-Pd/γ-Al2O3-TiO2 catalyst with 1 wt% vanadium showed the largest surface area and higher dispersion of vanadium oxide on the catalyst surface, and possessed a larger mole fraction of V4+ species and unique PdO species on the surface, which can be attributed to the strong synergistic effect among palladium, vanadium and the carriers. The higher activity of V-Pd/γ-Al2O3-TiO2 catalyst is related to the V4+ and Pd2+ species on the surface, which might be favorable for the formation of active sites.
Zhe Li Jing Wang Kai He Xia An Wei Huang Kechang Xie
