Anchoring PdO_x clusters on defective alumina for improved catalytic methane oxidation

Evolution of the Pd active centers in size and spatial distribution leads to an irreversible deactivation in many high-temperature catalytic processes. This research demonstrates the use of a defective alumina (Al₂O_3-x) as catalyst support to anchor Pd atoms and suppress the growth of Pd clusters in catalytic methane oxidation. A combination of operando spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide insights into the evolution of Pd species and reveals distinct catalytic methane oxidation mechanisms on Pd single atoms, clusters, and nanoparticles (NPs). Among these Pd species, the cluster active centers are found to be the most favorable participants in methane oxidation due to their high dispersion, high content of Pd²⁺ oxidation state, and resistance to deactivation by carbonates, bicarbonates, and water. The Pd/Al₂O_3-x catalyst shows increased stability with respect to a Pd/Al₂O₃ counterpart during simulated aging in alternating reducing and oxidizing conditions due to stronger interactions with the support. This study demonstrates that defect engineering of non-reducible supports can constrain the evolution of active centers, which holds promising potential for widespread utilization across diverse industrial catalytic processes, including various hydrogenation and oxidation reactions.