The Complete Oxidation of Ethanol at Low Temperature over a Novel Pd-Ce/γ-Al2O3-TiO2 Catalyst

Pd-Ce/γ-Al2O3-TiO2 catalysts were prepared by combined sol.gel and impregnation methods. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, H2-temperature-programmed reduction, O2-temperature-programmed desorption, and ethanol oxidation experiments were conducted to determine the properties of the catalysts. Addition of an optimal amount of Ce improved the performance of the Pd/γ-Al2O3-TiO2 catalyst in promoting the complete oxidation of ethanol. The catalyst with 1% Ce exhibited the highest activity, and catalyzed complete oxidation of ethanol at 175 .deg. C; its selectivity to CO2 reached 87%. Characterization results show that addition of appropriate amount of Ce could enrich the PdO species, and weaken the Pd-O bonds, thus enhancing oxidation ability of the catalyst. Meanwhile, the introduction of CeO2 could make PdO better dispersed on γ-Al2O3-TiO2, which is beneficial for the improvement of the catalytic oxidation activity