Next Article in Journal
Vanadium Chemical Compounds Forms in Wastes of Vanadium Pentoxide Production
Next Article in Special Issue
PROMETHEUS: A Copper-Based Polymetallic Catalyst for Automotive Applications. Part I: Synthesis and Characterization
Previous Article in Journal
Microstructure Features and High Temperature Oxidation Resistance of In-Situ TiN-Ti Composite Coatings by Plasma Transferred Arc Welding
Previous Article in Special Issue
Tensile Notch Sensitivity of Additively Manufactured IN 625 Superalloy
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Materials
Volume 13
Issue 21
10.3390/ma13214888
materials-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Methane Combustion Using Pd Deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 Pellistors

by
Ovidiu G. Florea
1,
Adelina Stănoiu
1,
Marin Gheorghe
2,
Cornel Cobianu
2,
Florentina Neaţu
3,
Mihaela M. Trandafir
3,
Ştefan Neaţu
3,
Mihaela Florea
4 and
Cristian E. Simion
1,*
1
Laboratory of Atomic Structures and Defects in Advanced Materials, National Institute of Materials Physics, Atomistilor 405A, 077125 Magurele, Romania
2
NANOM-MEMS SRL, G. Cosbuc 9, 505400 Rasnov, Romania
3
Laboratory of Nanoscale Condensed Matter, National Institute of Materials Physics, Atomistilor 405A, 077125 Magurele, Romania
4
Laboratory of Multifunctional Materials and Structures, National Institute of Materials Physics, Atomistilor 405A, 077125 Magurele, Romania
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Materials 2020, 13(21), 4888; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214888
Submission received: 9 October 2020 / Revised: 26 October 2020 / Accepted: 27 October 2020 / Published: 30 October 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies for Development of Novel Materials Systems and Coatings)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 has been prepared as a sensitive material for methane (CH4) detection. The effect of different amounts (1.25%, 2.5% and 5%) of Pd loading has been investigated. The as prepared materials were deposited on Pt microcoils using a drop-coating method, as a way of developing pellistors operated using a Wheatstone bridge configuration. By spanning the operating temperature range between 300 °C and 550 °C, we established the linearity region as well as the maximum sensitivity towards 4900 ppm of CH4. By making use of the sigmoid dependence of the output voltage signal from the Wheatstone bridge, the gas surface reaction and diffusion phenomena have been decoupled. The pellistor with 5% Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 exhibited the highest selective-sensitivity in the benefit of CH4 detection against threshold limits of carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Accordingly, adjusting the percent of Pd makes the preparation strategies of pellistors good candidates towards CH4 detection.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

As the primary component of natural gas, methane (CH4) is an odorless, highly flammable gas with an overall global warming potential even higher than carbon dioxide (CO2). Its concentration in the surrounding atmosphere is continuously increasing, mainly due to the petrochemical and oil industries, pipe leakage, accidental releases during gas conduction, storage, or distribution and also due to the anaerobic decomposition of animal waste [1,2,3,4]. Moreover, natural gas is the second most employed source of energy owing to its abundance and straightforward burning processes [5]. As a consequence, solutions are required for widespread monitoring of methane emissions. Accordingly, a large diversity of CH4 sensors, involving different technologies, have been developed [6]. Among them, pellistors have advantages related to the low fabrication costs and simplicity in operation, being typically used in a Wheatstone bridge arrangement where the out-of-balance voltage from the bridge is used as a signal measurement [7,8]. From the phenomenological point of view, CH4 reduces the oxygen species from the catalytic material surface, leading to an exothermic reaction translated into the pellistor signal. The signal amplitude depends on the type of catalyst and on the concentration of the flammable gas [9]. However, highly working temperatures are required in order to gain a measurable signal by the Wheatstone bridge [10]. Since 1962, different catalytic materials for pellistors have been developed [11]. Noble metal oxide catalysts highlight a higher catalytic activity compared to their metallic counterparts [12,13]. Being cheaper than Pt and Rh, Pd is commonly used as catalytic converter. Moreover, PdO was found to be the most active metal oxide from the group of the platinic metal oxides group involved in combustion reactions. Accordingly, catalytic materials consisting of porous alumina-supported palladium have been intensively used for the catalytic combustion of methane at temperatures below 700 °C thanks to the Al2O3 capability to distribute the noble metal on a large surface area [14,15]. To increase the efficiency of catalytic combustion of methane at temperatures below 500 °C and still benefit from the large specific area of alumina, their functionalization with chemically active ceramics like zirconia (ZrO2) [16] or ceria-zirconia has also been developed [17]. Recently, functionalization of porous Al2O3 support with ceria (CeO2)-manganese (MnOx) has shown enhanced catalytic activity for CO oxidation at temperatures below 100 °C [18,19,20]. CeO2 can improve the performance of the sensor due to its high oxygen storage capability and redox properties [21]. Due to their ability to reversibly store oxygen and the propensity to stabilize transition metals in high dispersion render, CeOx represents a useful support for gas oxidation, while MnOx with its multiple oxidation states and weak oxygen bonds will contribute to the easy oxidation of CO [22]. On the other hand, ceria and manganese are widely used as oxidation catalysts also due to of the presence of oxygen vacancies from within [23]. As manganese possesses complex valences, it was thought to be a more active dopant then ceria for the redox property enhancement. The catalytic properties of MnOx are also known due to the oxygen storage capacity in their crystalline lattice [24]. Previous studies have shown the positive impact of CeOx-MnOx oxides on the oxidation reactions [25]. Only a few studies have reported the evaluation of the chemical activity of CeO2-MnOx in the catalytic combustion of methane at low temperatures [26]. For instance, excellent catalytic performances of the unsupported CeOx-MnOx binary composite in the CH4 oxidation have been shown with about 90% CH4 conversion (to CO2 and H2O) for temperatures higher than 390 °C for a modified co-precipitation method. The surface area of the catalyst was in the range of (70–100) m2/g, which was a good result, but below the surface area of the commercial porous Al2O3 which is in the range 150–180 m2/g. For the improvement of the surface area of the CeO2-MnOx binary catalyst, and the corresponding dispersion of the catalytic active centers on the surface, the chemical activity of the porous γ-Al2O3-supported CeO2-MnOx catalysts has been studied [27]. The catalytic combustion has shown a 90% CH4 conversion at temperatures higher than 450 °C. More recently, CH4 catalytic combustion on MnOx-CeO2 composites with different molar fractions of the CeO2 and MnOx has been investigated and showed 100% CH4 conversion at temperatures around 600 °C [28]. It is predictable that CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 will have superior catalytic performance towards methane combustion, rather than a simple oxide mixture, most probably attributed to the increase of in active sites involved in catalytic reactions due to the large specific area of alumina. Moreover, CeOx in combination with Pd may result in low-temperature oxidation activity, Pd/CeOx being an effective catalyst for methane combustion, mainly from natural-gas powered combustion processes [29].
Knowing that CH4 has strong chemical bonds and needs high temperatures to break them, this study is focused on the catalytic performances of Pd-doped CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 used as a pellistor’s sensitive element with selective sensitivity [30] in methane detection.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Pd Deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 Pellistors

The sensitive material for methane combustion was synthesized in two steps: first, CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 was prepared by hydrothermal method followed by the impregnation of this material with Pd, obtained by chemical reduction.

2.1.1. CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 Synthesis by Hydrothermal Method

All chemicals used in the preparation of catalytic materials are commercial and have been used without additional purification. The following chemical substances were used: cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate (99.5% purity), manganese (II) nitrate tetrahydrate (both purchased from Acros Organics, Fair Lawn, NJ, USA), PdCl2 (99.9% purity) from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA). Commercially available Sasol Puralox TH100 (composition: Al2O3 with 4% La2O3) was used in this study as support for CeOx and MnOx.
Deionized water (18 MΩ × cm resistivity) was used in all the preparation steps. First, Puralox TH100 was dispersed in deionized water, followed by the dissolution of manganese and cerium nitrate salts. The molar ratio Ce/Mn/Al was 7/3/10. The pH was adjusted at 9 pH units with 25% aq. NH4OH. The mixture was heated in an autoclave 3 h at 180 °C, filtered, washed, and calcined 6 h at 500 °C (heating ramp of 6 °C/min.) After calcination, the material was grinded.

2.1.2. Pd Deposition on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3

Pd was deposited on the support by using wet impregnation. For this, PdCl2 was dissolved in HCl obtaining a clear solution and mixed with CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3, prepared previously. The quantities were dosed so that the Pd concentration of this mixture was 1.25%, 2.5% and 5%, respectively, by mass of the oxidic mixture. A reducing agent (hydroxylamine hydrochloride 99.995% purity, purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA)) was added to every solution (double number of mol vs. PdCl2 quantity) in order to obtain Pd in metallic state. The water was removed by evaporation and finally calcined 1h at 500 °C, ground, and dispersed in terpineol (10% by mass percent).

2.1.3. Pellistor Preparation

The as-prepared materials were deposited on Pt microcoils (made of platinum microwires of 25 µm diameter) by the drop method (see Figure 1a). The obtained pellistor is presented in Figure 1b. The samples were named as: D2 (CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3); 1,25%Pd/D2 (1.25%Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3); 2.50%Pd/D2 (2.50%Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3) and 5.00%Pd/D2 (5.00%Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3).

2.2. Materials’ Characterization

To obtain information about the properties of the as-prepared samples, several characterization techniques were employed in this study. Thus, the morphological and vibrational properties, crystallinity of the samples, and type of crystalline phases present in the material were verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Pd content was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
The X-ray diffraction measurements were realized by using a Bruker-AXS D8 Advance diffractometer (Bruker Corporation, Billerica, MA, USA.) equipped with a LynxEye 1D detector and Cu-Kα (0.1541 nm) radiation source and a scintillation counter detector. The diffraction patterns were recorded over a 2θ range of 10–80° with a 0.01° step size and using a counting time of 1 s per point. The identification of the XRD phases present in the samples was performed by using the Powder Diffraction File from the International Centre for Diffraction Data (PDF-ICDD). The surface morphology and the chemical composition were examined at room temperature by SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) in a Zeiss Evo 50 XVP microscope (Oberkochen, Germany). The images were taken at 3000× (for the support) and 10,000× magnification (for the samples containing Pd) at a 20 kV acceleration voltage using the secondary electrons (SE) detector.
All Raman measurements were performed in the range between 100 and 700 cm−1 on a LabRAM HR evolution spectrometer (Horiba Jobin Yvon, Kyoto, Japan) equipped with an air-cooled charge coupled device (CCD) and a He-Ne laser (633 nm). All the Raman spectra were recorded at room temperature in the extended scan mode with an acquisition time of 10 × 30 s.
To determine the total amount of Pd, the solid samples were digested in a mixture of 40 vol.% aqueous HCl and HNO3 and then, for detection of the signal intensity of the palladium ions, the resulting solutions were introduced into the PlasmaQuant MS Elite ICP-MS system from Analytik Jena AG (Überlingen, Germany) equipped with a double-pass Scott-type spray chamber (Peltier cooled at 3 °C), a concentric glass nebulizer and Cetac ASX-560 (Cetac Technologies, Omaha, NE, USA) autosampler. Calibration solutions were prepared by dilution of a palladium certified reference material solution containing 1000 mg L−1 of Pd (certified value and uncertainty 1000.2 ± 3 mg L−1) purchased from CPA Chem (Stara Zagora, Bulgaria).

2.3. Working Principle of the Pellistor in a Wheatstone Bridge

The pellistor is usually made of thick and porous ceramic bead capable of detecting gases, which are combustible in air. It is designed to respond to a specific gas, strongly related to its specific properties (molecular weight, heat of oxidation, etc.). In our case, the CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 bead was deposited on Pt microcoil in order to detect CH4. To reduce the activation energy of the combustion reaction, a metal catalyst (in our case Pd) is usually dispersed on the bead of the pellistor. For the catalytic performances evaluation, a power supply powers both arms of the Wheatstone bridge (see Figure 2). The balance voltage, measured to the output of the Wheatstone bridge, can afterwards be converted to CH4 concentration. The power supply heats the coils of the pellistor and compensator so that the both beads are raised to a temperature in the region of 500 °C. In the presence of combustible gas, the catalyst within the bead element enhances the gas to combust. The heat of combustion raises the temperature of the platinum coil, leading to an increase in the pellistor electrical resistance and the voltage drop across it. This unbalance the bridge and a useful output voltage can be measured.

3. Results

3.1. Materials’ Characterization

3.1.1. X-ray Diffraction Analysis

The XRD patterns of the all prepared materials are displayed in Figure 3. As the calcination temperature was just 500 °C, all materials are characterized by a low crystallinity. For the D2 sample, preponderantly Ce2MnO6 phase (PDF card 00-064-0204) with diffraction lines 2θ at about 28.6, 33.7, 47.5 and 56.9° can be observed, while only low intensity diffraction lines 2θ at about 59.6 and 66.9° can be associated with the existence of γ-Al2O3 cubic structure (PDF card 00-029-0063) from the Sasol-Puralox TH100 commercial material used in the preparation of this sample [31]. The absence of any detectable MnOx phase suggests the formation of a Ce-O-Mn solid solution or that MnOx is highly dispersed on the surface of all samples [32]. A closer look at the XRD patterns of the Pd deposited on D2 samples shows the appearance of new diffraction lines at 2θ of about 31.4, 40.1 and 79.4°, which can be assigned to the t-PdO(100) (PDF card 00-041-1107) [33,34] and also to the Pd0(111) and Pd0(311) crystalline planes (PDF card 00-001-1312), respectively [35,36]. This indicates that Pd deposition by impregnation method was successful. The presence of PdO, on the sample containing 5% Pd, can be beneficial for the methane combustion, as is presented further. Other diffraction lines typically assigned to the (200) and (222) crystalline planes of the face-centered cubic structure of palladium cannot be evidenced as they are overlapped by the strong peaks of both Ce2MnO6 and γ-Al2O3 predominant phases.

3.1.2. Raman Spectroscopy

The Raman spectra of all prepared materials are presented in Figure 4. As shown for the D2 sample, the strong Raman band centered at around 450 cm−1 might be associated to the F2g symmetric O-Ce-O vibration mode of the fluorite-type structure [37,38]. However, as the Raman characteristic band for pure CeO2 appeared at ca. 465 cm−1, such a big red shift of the F2g band can be attributed to the enlargement of the Ce-O bond lengths [39] as a result of lattice distortion with the formation of a Ce-O-Mn solid solution. Moreover, the absence of MnOx, already envisaged by XRD, and γ-Al2O3 bands is an indication of successful dispersion of Ce-O-Mn solid solution onto the surface of the alumina Sasol-Puralox TH100 commercial material support [40].
The deposition of Pd on the surface of D2 sample, independently of the loading, doesn’t modify the position of the 450 cm−1 Raman band and no other additional Raman peaks appear. This indicates that, as expected, the impregnation method does not affect the structural characteristics of the support.

3.1.3. Scanning Electron Microscopy

SEM images indicating the morphology of the investigated samples are presented in Figure 5. The D2 sample is preponderant, composed from very large spherical particles of about 10 μm, with a rather smooth texture. Further deposition of Pd changes the morphology. Smaller particles of irregular shapes of about 1–6 μm are formed, covered with spherical nanoparticles, with diameter smaller than 200 nm, independent of the Pd concentration.
The elemental composition of the D2, 1.25% Pd/D2, 2.50% Pd/D2 and 5.00% Pd/D2 (calculated from EDX spectra) is shown in Table 1. As can be observed, the concentration of the oxygen increased after Pd deposition on the support. This can be attributed to the formation of palladium oxide on the surface in agreement with X-ray diffraction data. The amount of Pd determined by EDX analysis is a little higher than the theoretical values, except the 2.5%Pd/D2 catalyst, for which the Pd amount is smaller (1.73%). Also, in Figure 5 are depicted the Pd particles distribution onto the surface of oxides. The elemental mapping evidenced that Pd forms small clusters on the support using the impregnation method.
The quantitative assessment of Pd was performed using ICP-MS analysis and the results are presented in Table 1. The values determined are close to the theoretical ones (±1.2%).

3.2. CH4 Catalytic Combustion Results

The effect of the operating temperature on the output voltage of a typical pellistor element is shown in Figure 6a. As can be seen, all the curves were nicely fitted using sigmoid functions. With the increase in Pd concentration, the slope tangent to the curve is moving towards lower temperatures, meaning that the rate of combustion is dependent on the amount of Pd loading [41].
Moreover, at higher temperatures the response has a lower dependence on the operating temperature approaching a plateau region. This aspect is in good agreement with T.A. Jones and P.T. Walsh as a limited mass transport of fuel and to its optimal reaction balance between fuel and oxygen [42].
The temperature of the pellistor increases in the presence of CH4 and this results in the overall pellistor response. The higher the operating temperature is, the lower the influence of the surrounding atmospheric conditions is [43]. The behavior plotted in Figure 6b indicate that with the increase in the Pd amount, the peak level decreases with respect to the operating temperature.
As can be observed in the Figure 6b, the pellistor containing 5% Pd exhibits the lowest operating temperature (425 °C) for methane combustion. This is correlated well with the presence of a higher PdO amount on the surface of the 5% Pd/D2 pellistor, evidenced by X-ray diffraction patterns.
Selectivity and linear response are among the most important parameters of a sensitive material when it comes to application potential. In this respect, we have tested the pellistors loaded with 1.25%, 2.5% and 5% Pd. As can be seen in Figure 7a–c the tested pellistors exhibit the highest response in the benefit of CH4 detection against other potential interfering gases (CO, SO2 and H2S) when tested under the same working conditions. The gas levels have been selected according to the European Union (EU) imposed limits.

3.3. Modeling of the CH4 Catalytic Combustion

From the experimental point of view, we established that the voltage signal from the Wheatstone bridge (as a function of detector operating temperature at constant gas concentration) was higher for the highest amount of Pd nanoparticle catalytic layer.
It is known that the Pd catalyst is required to reduce the activation energy, which is the minimum energy required in order for a reaction to proceed (see Figure 8). The activation energy, represents the potential energy barrier between reactants and products that must be overcome for the reaction to take place and is linked to the energy of a transition state that exists in the reaction mechanism. In our case the amount of Pd catalyst lowers the energy of the transition state and, therefore, lowers the activation energy, allowing the reaction to proceed at lower temperature. The chemical reaction between the reactants (CH4 and oxygen) is accomplished in contact with the catalyst surface forming the combustion products, while the Pd catalyst is not consumed.
Since the energy to drive the reaction consists in the heat generated by the platinum coil, the need of Pd catalyst allows the reaction to proceed at lower electrical power. As the voltage across a pellistor is increased, the energy of the catalyst increases to a sufficient energy level to become available to combust the CH4 over the pellistor, leading to a readable signal. With increasing voltage, this signal reaches a plateau region where the heat from the combustion is balanced by the heat exchanges with the surrounding atmosphere.
An additional increase in voltage is translated into heat loss, reflected through a decrease in the sensor signal. As can be seen from the experimental results, a plot of this response for a fixed gas concentration versus operating temperature is commonly a sigmoid curve (Figure 9).
Such behavior can be described via two major step processes. At low operating temperature the main detection mechanism corresponds to a surface reaction control, whereas for the higher operating temperature regime diffusion transfer control is likely to occur. This performance was reported also by D. Shlenkevitch et al. [44].
The ignition temperature (denoted below by Ting) is defined as the transition temperature between these two regimes. The ignition temperature relates to the maximal change of released power as a function of temperature, and it is specific for the analyte–gas and catalytic–layer combination.

4. Conclusions

In this paper we have studied the role induced by the presence of Pd over the surface of CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 towards CH4 detection performance. Accordingly, different amount of Pd (1.25%, 2.5% and 5%) was deposited over the surface of the “host” material in terms of CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3. The characterization techniques employed have demonstrated that the impregnation method is suitable for such materials, and the support preserves its initial characteristics.
The built pellistors were subject to CH4 detection over a wide range of operating temperature regimes. In this respect we could determine the linearity region of operation, as well as the maximum temperature for the highest value of the signal output from the Wheatstone bridge. The highest catalytic conversion of methane was attained using 5% Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3, most probably in the presence of two types of Pd, cationic and metallic. Using the aforementioned material, we have emphasized two major characteristics, namely the linearity region with respect to different concentrations of CH4 as well as its higher selective potential manifested against different target gases such as, CO, SO2 and H2S.
In accordance with other literature, we have presented a schematic approach aiming to explain the sigmoid behavior expressed by the 5% Pd deposited on the CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 pellistor with respect to the surface reaction and bulk diffusion.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, C.E.S. and A.S.; materials preparation, M.G. and C.C.; materials characterization, F.N., M.M.T., Ş.N., and M.F.; catalytic test, O.G.F.; writing—original draft preparation, all authors; writing—review and editing, all authors. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

The authors acknowledge funding through POC-G project MAT2IT (contract 54/2016, SMIS code 105726, Intermediary Body-Romanian Ministry of Research and Innovation), the Core Program PN19-03 (contract no. 21 N/08.02.2019) and project 12 PFE/2018.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

References

  1. Olah, G.A.; Goeppert, A.; Czaun, M.; Prakash, G.K.S. Sefl-Sufficient and Exclusive Oxigenation of Methane and Its Source Materials with Oxygen to Methanol via Metgas Using Oxidative Bi-reforming. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 648. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  2. Zhao, H.; Zhou, X.; Wang, M.; Xie, Z.; Chen, H.; Shi, J. Highly active MnOx-CeO2 catalyst for diesel soot combustion. RSC Adv. 2017, 7, 3233–3239. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  3. Wang, C.; Yu, F.; Zhu, M.; Wang, X.; Dan, J.; Zhang, J.; Cao, P.; Dai, B. Microspherical MnO2-CeO2-Al2O3 mixed oxide for monolithic honeycomb catalyst and application in selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 at 50–150 °C. Chem. Eng. J. 2018, 346, 182–192. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  4. Rubel, A.M.; Stencel, J.M. CH4 storage on compressed carbons. Fuel 2000, 79, 1095–1100. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Yang, N.-Z.; Guo, R.-T.; Tian, Y.; Pan, W.-G.; Chen, Q.-L.; Wang, Q.-S.; Lu, C.-Z.; Wang, S.-X. The enhanced performance of ceria by HF treatment for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3. Fuel 2016, 179, 305–311. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. Liu, C.; Shi, J.-W.; Gao, C.; Niu, C. Manganese oxide-based catalysts for low temperature selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3: A review. Appl. Catal. A Gen. 2016, 522, 54–69. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Li, S.; Yan, S.; Xia, Y.; Cui, B.; Pu, Y.; Ye, Y.; Wang, D.; Liu, Y.-Q.; Chen, B. Oxidative reactivity enhancement for soot combustion catalysts by co-doping silver and manganese in ceria. Appl. Catal. A Gen. 2019, 570, 299–307. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Müller, S.; Zimina, A.; Steininger, R.; Flessau, S.; Osswald, J.; Grunwaldt, J.D. High Stability of Rh Oxide-Based Thermoresistive Catalytic Combustion Sensors Proven by Operando X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction. ACS Sens. 2020, 5, 2486–2496. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  9. Kamieniak, J.; Randviir, E.P.; Banks, C.E. The latest developments in the analytical sensing of methane TrAC. Trends Anal. Chem. 2015, 73, 146–157. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Palmer, T.H. Gas Detecting Apparatus. U.S. Patent 3,233,233, 1 February 1966. [Google Scholar]
  11. Korotcenkov, G. Handbook of Gas Sensor Materials; Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2014; Volume 1. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Grunwaldt, J.-D.; Baiker, A. Axial variation of the oxidation state of Pt-Rh/Al2O3 during partial methane oxidation in a xed-bed reactor: An In Situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy study. Catal. Lett. 2005, 99, 5–12. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. Grunwaldt, J.-D.; Basini, L.; Clausen, B.S. In Situ EXAFS study of Rh/Al2O3 catalysts for catalytic partial oxidation of methane. J. Catal. 2001, 200, 321–329. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Farrauto, R.J.; Hobson, M.C.; Kennelly, T.; Waterman, E.M. Catalytic chemistry of supported palladium for combustion of methane. Appl. Catal. A Gen. 1992, 81, 227–237. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Burch, R.; Loader, P.K.; Urbano, F.J. Some aspects of hydrocarbon activation on platinum group metal combustion catalysis. Catal. Today 1996, 27, 243–248. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Lieske, H.; Volter, J. Pd Redispersion by Spreading of PdO in O2 Treated Pd/Al2O3. J. Phys. Chem. 1985, 89, 1841–1842. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Epling, W.S.; Hoflund, G.B. Catalytic oxidation of methane over ZrO2-Supported Pd catalysts. J. Catal. 1999, 182, 5–12. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Primavera, A.; Trovarelli, A.; Leitenburg, C. Reactivity and Characterization of Pd-containing ceria-zirconia catalysts for methane combustion. In Natural Gas Conversion V; Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis; Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1998; Volume 119, pp. 87–92. ISBN 0-444-82967-9. [Google Scholar]
  19. Mukherjee, D.; Rao, B. G.; Reddy, B.M. CO and soot oxidation activity of doped ceria: Influence of dopants. Appl. Catal. B Environ. 2016, 197, 105–115. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Erdohelyi, A.; Cserenyi, J.; Solymosi, F. Activation of CH4 and Its Reaction with CO2 over Supported Rh Catalysts. J. Catal. 1993, 141, 287–299. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  21. Wang, Y.; Tong, M.M.; Zhang, D.; Gao, Z. Improving the Performance of Catalytic Combustion Type Methane Gas Sensors Using Nanostructure Elements Doped with Rare Earth Cocatalysts. Sensors 2011, 11, 19–31. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  22. Genti, G.; Ciambelli, P.; Perathoner, S.; Russo, P. Environmental Catalysts: Trends and Outlook. ChemInform 2002, 75, 3–5. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  23. Dey, S.; Kumar, P.V.V. The performance of highly active manganese oxide catalysts for ambient conditions carbon monoxide oxidation. Curr. Res. Green Sustain. Chem. 2020, 3, 100012. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Dardouri, R.; Gannouni, A.; Zina, S.M. Structural and oxidative properties of manganese incorporated mesostructured silica for methane oxidation. Adv. Mater. Sci. Eng. 2019, 6024876. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  25. Tang, X.; Xiumin, H.; Xu, Y.; Zhu, H.; Wang, J.; Shen, W.; Li, Y. MnOx-CeO2 mixed oxide catalysts for complete oxidation of formaldehyde: Effect of preparation method and calcination temperature. Appl. Catal. B Environ. 2006, 62, 265–273. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Shi, L.; Chu, W.; Qu, F.; Luo, S. Low-temperature, catalytic combustion of methane over MnOx-CeO2 mixed oxide catalysts: Effect of preparation method. Catal. Lett. 2007, 113, 59–64. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  27. Shi, L.; Chu, W.; Qu, F.; Hu, J.; Li, M. Catalytic performances for methane combustion of supported Mn-Ce mixed oxides. J. Rare Earth 2008, 266, 836–840. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Xiao, L.H.; Sun, K.P.; Xu, X.I.; Li, X.N. Low temperature catalytic combustion of methane over Pd/CeO2 prepared by deposition-precipitation method. Catal. Commun. 2005, 6, 796–801. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Fiuk, M.M.; Adamski, A. Activity of MnOx-CeO2 catalysts in combustion of low concentrated methane. Catal. Today 2015, 257, 131–135. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Shimokawa, H.; Kurihara, Y.; Kusaba, H.; Einaga, H.; Teraoka, Y. Comparison of catalytic performance of Ag- and K-based catalysts for diesel soot combustion. Catal. Today 2012, 185, 99–103. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Neatu, S.; Trandafir, M.M.; Stanoiu, A.; Florea, O.G.; Simion, C.E.; Leonat, L.N.; Cobianu, C.; Gheorghe, M.; Florea, M.; Neatu, F. Bulk Versus Surface Modification of Alumina with Mn and Ce Based Oxides for CH4 Catalytic Combustion. Materials 2019, 12, 1771. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  32. Chen, H.Y.; Sayari, A.; Adnot, A.; Larachi, F. Composition-activity effects of Mn-Ce-O composites on phenol catalytic wet oxidation. Appl. Catal. B Environ. 2001, 32, 195. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Liang, H.; Raitano, J.M.; He, G.; Akey, A.J.; Herman, I.P.; Zhang, L.; Chan, S.-W. Aqueous co-precipitation of Pd-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles: Chemistry, structure, and particle growth. J. Mater. Sci. 2012, 47, 299–307. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Ma, L.; Yuan, S.; Zhu, H.; Jiang, T.; Zhu, X.; Lu, C.; Li, X. Pd4S/SiO2: A Sulfur-Tolerant Palladium Catalyst for Catalytic Complete Oxidation of Methane. Catalysts 2019, 9, 410. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  35. Hu, G.; Nitze, F.; Sharifi, T.; Barzegar, H.R.; Wagberg, T. Self-assembled palladium nanocrystals on helical carbon nanofibers as enhanced electrocatalysts for electro-oxidation of small molecules. J. Mater. Chem. 2012, 22, 8541–8548. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  36. Baylet, A.; Marecot, P.; Duprez, D.; Castellazzi, P.; Groppi, G.; Forzatti, P. In Situ Raman and in situ XRD analysis of PdO reduction and Pd0 oxidation supported on γ-Al2O3 catalyst under different atmospheres. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2011, 13, 4607–4613. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  37. Wu, X.; Liu, S.; Weng, D.; Lin, F.; Ran, R. MnOx–CeO2–Al2O3 mixed oxides for soot oxidation: Activity and thermal stability. J. Hazard. Mater. 2011, 187, 283–290. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  38. Sato, T.; Komanoya, T. Selective oxidation of alcohols with molecular oxygen catalysed by Ru/MnOx/CeO2 under mild conditions. Catal. Commun. 2009, 10, 1095–1098. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Li, G.; Smith, R.L., Jr.; Inomata, H. Synthesis of Nanoscale Ce1-xFexO2 Solid Solutions via a Low-Temperature Approach. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 11091–11092. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Venkataswamy, P.; Jampaiah, D.; Lin, F.; Alxneit, I.; Reddy, B.M. Structural properties of alumina supported Ce-Mn solid solutions and their markedly enhanced catalytic activity for CO oxidation. Appl. Surf. Sci. 2015, 349, 299–309. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Lee, J.H.; Trimm, D.L. Catalytic combustion of methane. Fuel Process. Technol. 1995, 42, 339–359. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  42. Jones, T.A.; Walsh, P.T. Flammable Gas Detection—The role of the platinum metals. Platinum Met. Rev. 1988, 32, 50–60. [Google Scholar]
  43. Schierbaum, K.D.; Geiger, J.; Weimar, U.; Göpel, W. Specific palladium and platinum doping for SnO2-based thin film sensor arrays. Sens. Actuators B 1993, 13–14, 143–147. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  44. Shlenkevitch, D.; Stolyarova, S.; Blank, T.; Brouk, I.; Nemirovsky, Y. Novel Miniature and selective Combustion-Type CMOS Gas Sensor for Gas-Mixture Analysis—Part 1: Emphasis on Chemical Aspects. Micromachines 2000, 11, 345. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
Materials 13 04888 g001 550
Figure 1. Pt microcoil (a) and the sensitive material deposited on microcoil ready for methane detection (b).
Figure 1. Pt microcoil (a) and the sensitive material deposited on microcoil ready for methane detection (b).
Materials 13 04888 g001
Materials 13 04888 g002 550
Figure 2. Wheatstone bridge setup used in evaluation of the catalytic performances of Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 pellistors.
Figure 2. Wheatstone bridge setup used in evaluation of the catalytic performances of Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 pellistors.
Materials 13 04888 g002
Materials 13 04888 g003 550
Figure 3. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the as prepared Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 materials. The peaks of the Ce2MnO6 (00-064-0204), γ-Al2O3 (00-029-0063), tetrahedral PdO (00-041-1107) and Pd0 (00-001-1312) crystalline planes are labelled and indexed.
Figure 3. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the as prepared Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 materials. The peaks of the Ce2MnO6 (00-064-0204), γ-Al2O3 (00-029-0063), tetrahedral PdO (00-041-1107) and Pd0 (00-001-1312) crystalline planes are labelled and indexed.
Materials 13 04888 g003
Materials 13 04888 g004 550
Figure 4. Raman spectra of the as prepared Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 materials.
Figure 4. Raman spectra of the as prepared Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 materials.
Materials 13 04888 g004
Materials 13 04888 g005 550
Figure 5. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images for the investigated materials: (a) D2, (b) 1.25% Pd/D2, (c) 2.50% Pd/D2 and (d) 5.00% Pd/D2. In the up-right corner are depicted the mapping of Pd particles.
Figure 5. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images for the investigated materials: (a) D2, (b) 1.25% Pd/D2, (c) 2.50% Pd/D2 and (d) 5.00% Pd/D2. In the up-right corner are depicted the mapping of Pd particles.
Materials 13 04888 g005
Materials 13 04888 g006 550
Figure 6. Voltage signal as a function of pellistor operating temperature at constant gas concentration (a) and the first derivative of voltage measured by the Wheatstone bridge (b).
Figure 6. Voltage signal as a function of pellistor operating temperature at constant gas concentration (a) and the first derivative of voltage measured by the Wheatstone bridge (b).
Materials 13 04888 g006
Materials 13 04888 g007 550
Figure 7. Selective-sensitivity plot of 1.25% (a), 2.5% (b) and 5% (c) Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 with respect to different target gases.
Figure 7. Selective-sensitivity plot of 1.25% (a), 2.5% (b) and 5% (c) Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 with respect to different target gases.
Materials 13 04888 g007
Materials 13 04888 g008 550
Figure 8. Schematic approach aiming to explain the role of %Pd towards improving the CH4 detection properties of CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3.
Figure 8. Schematic approach aiming to explain the role of %Pd towards improving the CH4 detection properties of CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3.
Materials 13 04888 g008
Materials 13 04888 g009 550
Figure 9. Schematic approach aiming to explain the sigmoid behavior of the 5% Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 with respect to the operating temperature.
Figure 9. Schematic approach aiming to explain the sigmoid behavior of the 5% Pd deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 with respect to the operating temperature.
Materials 13 04888 g009
Table
Table 1. Elemental composition of the investigated samples.
Table 1. Elemental composition of the investigated samples.
EDXNormalized Mass (%)
D21.25% Pd/D22.50% Pd/D25.00% Pd/D2
C13.8013.6113.0111.10
O33.9253.1249.6346.17
Al23.7211.7614.7315.52
Mn3.982.382.712.49
La1.670.880.870.93
Ce22.9116.7517.3218.21
Pd-1.50 (1.38) 11.73 (2.21) 15.58 (5.61) 1
Total100100100100
1 The numbers from the brackets correspond to the palladium concentration determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis.
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Florea, O.G.; Stănoiu, A.; Gheorghe, M.; Cobianu, C.; Neaţu, F.; Trandafir, M.M.; Neaţu, Ş.; Florea, M.; Simion, C.E. Methane Combustion Using Pd Deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 Pellistors. Materials 2020, 13, 4888. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214888

AMA Style

Florea OG, Stănoiu A, Gheorghe M, Cobianu C, Neaţu F, Trandafir MM, Neaţu Ş, Florea M, Simion CE. Methane Combustion Using Pd Deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 Pellistors. Materials. 2020; 13(21):4888. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214888

Chicago/Turabian Style

Florea, Ovidiu G., Adelina Stănoiu, Marin Gheorghe, Cornel Cobianu, Florentina Neaţu, Mihaela M. Trandafir, Ştefan Neaţu, Mihaela Florea, and Cristian E. Simion. 2020. "Methane Combustion Using Pd Deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 Pellistors" Materials 13, no. 21: 4888. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214888

APA Style

Florea, O. G., Stănoiu, A., Gheorghe, M., Cobianu, C., Neaţu, F., Trandafir, M. M., Neaţu, Ş., Florea, M., & Simion, C. E. (2020). Methane Combustion Using Pd Deposited on CeOx-MnOx/La-Al2O3 Pellistors. Materials, 13(21), 4888. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214888

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop