Regulating the Spatial Distribution of Ru Nanoparticles on CeO2 Support for Enhanced Propane Oxidation

Developing efficient catalysts for the total oxidation of propane at low temperatures is challenging; however, it is crucial for the purification of automotive exhaust and volatile organic compounds emitted in industrial processes. We report a highly stable and active Ru-based catalyst for propane oxidation by tuning Ru loading to achieve the balance between RuOx species in the CeO2 bulk and on the surface via a facile coprecipitation approach (Ru-CeO2). Compared to the Ru catalyst prepared through wet impregnation on a CeO2 support (Ru/CeO2), the prepared Ru-CeO2 catalyst allows for the formation of RuO, species with smaller particle sizes and lower oxidation states, as well as an increased number of oxygen vacancies on the catalyst surface, leading to a greater ability to adsorb and activate propane and oxygen. As a result, the Ru-CeO2 catalyst presents a substantially improved activity and durability toward propane oxidation, which can maintain 90% propane conversion at 220 degrees C for 50 h. This work highlights the synthetic tuning of the spatial distribution of Ru active sites within catalysts through a coprecipitation strategy for improved catalytic alkane oxidation, and the prepared Ru-CeO2 catalyst is a promising candidate material for industrial applications.

Automated summary

The study focuses on developing a highly efficient Ru-CeO2 catalyst for propane oxidation by adjusting the Ru loading to achieve a better balance between RuOx species in the CeO2 bulk and on the surface. By improving the distribution of active sites and increasing oxygen vacancies, the Ru-CeO2 catalyst shows enhanced catalytic activity and durability, making it a promising candidate for industrial applications.