Synergetic Effect of Pd Decorated CeO2 Support Application in Total Oxidation of Propane

The complete oxidation of propane (Pr) is one of the most crucial processes for eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the atmosphere. The synthesized palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) decorated on ceria support with weight loading ranging from 1 to 4 wt % (1−4PdNPs/CeO2) is used in the catalytic combustion of propane. The dispersion of PdNPs on CeO2 support is greatly enabled reducibility of Ce (Ce4+ to Ce3+) and increasing oxygen vacancies on the Ce lattice through strong metal support interaction between PdNPs and CeO2 support. The 3 wt % PdNPs loaded CeO2 catalyst (3PdNPs/CeO2) exhibits highest propane conversion (XPr), lowest T90 (temperature required to degrade 90% Pr), T50 (temperature required to degrade 50% Pr) and lowest activation energy (Ea) towards propane oxidation reaction. These advantages lead to an exceptionally high performance on Pd/CeO2 in the complete oxidation of propane at low temperatures. This work represents a viable approach to the development of strong supported catalysts for the removal of short-chain volatile organic compounds.