Robust palladium oxide nano-cluster catalysts using atomic ions and strong interactions for high-performance methane oxidation
Seung-Hee Ryu, Seungeun Kim, Hyunjoo Lee, Joon‐Hwan Choi, Hojin Jeong
Abstract
Optimizing metal catalyst structures to achieve desired states is vital for efficient surface reactions, yet remains challenging due to the lack of well-defined precursor materials and weak metal-support interaction. Palladium-based catalysts, when not properly tailored for complete methane oxidation exhibit insufficient performance. Herein, we fabricate Pd oxide nano-clusters supported on SSZ-13 using atomic ions with strong metal-support interaction (SMSI). Steam treatment of Pd/SSZ-13 transforms Pd particles into ions and induces SMSI. Subsequently, CO reduction and O2 oxidation yield mildly sintered Pd oxide nano-clusters firmly anchored on extra-framework Alpenta sites of SSZ-13, facilitating superior activity. The robustness from SMSI prevents irreversible deactivation, and water-resistance by complete dehydration suppresses reversible degradation in wet conditions. This catalyst exhibits high performance in bench-scale reactions using monolith catalysts, ensuring applicability for industrial methane abatement. The results demonstrate that sequential treatment to Pd/SSZ-13 offers a promising approach for tailoring metal structures to enable high-performance methane oxidation. Optimizing metal catalyst structures to achieve specific states is crucial for efficient surface reactions but remains difficult due to the absence of well-defined precursor materials and weak metal-support interactions. Here the authors design Pd oxide nanoclusters on SSZ-13 as optimal catalysts for complete CH4 oxidation, leveraging atomic ions and strong interactions.