TixCe(1-x)O2 as Pt support for the PROX reaction: Effect of the solvothermal synthesis

Abstract

Ti–Ce mixed oxides with different Ti/Ce atomic ratios have been synthesized via a solvothermal method and used as supports for platinum nanoparticles. These catalysts were tested in the preferential oxidation of CO in excess of H2 (PROX reaction) using different feed compositions in order to simulate real conditions. Both, supports and catalysts, were characterized by a wide variety of techniques including N2 adsorption, XRF, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, H2-TPR, UV–Vis and DRIFTS. The best performance was obtained with the Pt/Ti0.9Ce0.1O2 catalyst, what was attributed to the incorporation of Ce atoms in the TiO2 lattice. 10% at. Ce is the maximum concentration we could incorporate in the TiO2 lattice by using the solvothermal method.