Pt/CeO2–ZrO2 catalyst for dimethyl ether and dimethoxymethane partial oxidation to syngas: in-situ Raman spectroscopy structural studies

This paper is devoted to studies of the conversion mechanism of carbon-containing fuels on multicomponent catalyst with the composition of 1.9 wt. % Pt–Ce 0.75 Zr 0.25 O 2 (Pt/CZ) using in-situ Raman spectroscopy (RS) and catalytic activity measurements. It was found that during heating and transition from inert atmosphere to reducing conditions, oxygen escapes from the crystal lattice of the samples. This leads to formation of oxygen vacancies in the near-surface layer of the catalyst and increasing Ce 3+ concentration by more than 20 % already at a temperature of 400 ◦ C. Meanwhile, when returning to the initial external conditions (temperature, gas mixture), a reversible process occurs. The use of Pt/CZ catalysts allows to obtain up to 35 vol % H 2 and about 25 vol % CO in syngas during dimethyl ether and dimethoxymethane partial oxidation. Thus, Pt/CZ catalysts are of particular interest as efficient catalysts for the conversion of hydrocarbons to synthesis gas, suitable for feeding SOFC stacks.