Oxidation reactions over multi-component catalysts: low-temperature CO oxidation and the total oxidation of CH4

A series of NM/MOx/Al2O3 (NM = Pd, Ag, Pt, and An) catalysts were prepared and tested in the oxidation of CO and CH4. The catalysts were characterized with X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Where addition of MOx generally does not seem to affect the catalyst activity in CH4 oxidation, a large enhancement in CO oxidation was observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been used to identify the role of MOx as a promoter for low-temperature CO oxidation. The results were found to support a Mars and van Krevelen type model.