Partial oxidation of methanol on Au-Pd/ceria

Abstract

Partial oxidation of methanol over Au/CeO₂ and Au-Pd/CeO₂ catalysts is reported here. The catalysts have been characterized by using X-ray diffraction, temperature programmed reduction and temperature-programmed desorption of methanol. The studies show that the Au-Pd alloy particles are formed, and Au dispersion on CeO₂ support is promoted owing to the addition of Pd to the Au-Pd/CeO₂ bimetallic catalyst. Compared with Au/CeO₂ catalyst, the Au-Pd-/CeO₂ catalyst has larger active surface area and stronger interaction between Au-Pd and support. The desorption temperature of methanol is low. The Au-Pd/CeO₂ catalyst reduced by H₂ before the reaction shows higher methanol conversion and hydrogen selectivity, which suggests that the metallic states of Au, Pd and Au-Pd play an important role in the partial oxidation of methanol.