Methane oxidation over Pd catalysts supported on binary Al2O3–La2O3 oxides prepared by the sol–gel method

The catalytic activity of 0.6 wt.% Pd catalysts supported on binary Al2O3–La2O3 oxides prepared by sol–gel was studied in the reaction of methane oxidation. The catalysts were characterized by N2 physisorption, XRD, UV–Vis and TPO techniques. Lanthanum in Pd/Al–La catalysts promoted the oxidation of methane at lower temperatures. Highest BET specific surface area and methane conversion were obtained for La2O3 concentration of 6 wt.%. It was found the presence of the La2O3·xPdO phase in the Pd/Al–La catalysts. La2O3·xPdO species presumably promoted a higher surface oxygen supply for the reaction resulting in the improvement in the catalytic activity at lower temperatures.