Nanorod-like
phosphorus-doped ordered mesoporous γ-alumina
(OMA), which has abundant ordered pore channels in the nanorods, was
rapidly synthesized through a modified sol–gel strategy without
use of any mineral acids. Highly dispersed Pd-based catalysts were
synthesized by taking as-obtained phosphorus-doped OMA materials as
carriers for methane combustion. The crystallization temperature of
γ-Al2O3 was increased by phosphorus doping.
The surface acidity properties of γ-Al2O3 were modified upon phosphorus incorporation, which had a significant
effect on catalyst activities, and this influence was much more conspicuous
for the supports calcined at high temperature. The incorporation of
phosphorus adjusted the distribution of palladium active species and
the reducibility of catalysts, synergistically affecting the low-temperature
catalytic performance. Pd/6P-OMA catalyst demonstrated enhanced low-temperature
catalytic properties and stability in the 13-cycle stability and long-term
stability tests. During the reaction cycles, the total CH4 conversion temperature for Pd/6P-OMA catalyst was as low as 345
°C, which could be reduced to 321 °C via hydrogen reduction
treatment. In comparison with the catalyst without dopant, the Pd/6P-OMA
catalyst also exhibited higher hydrothermal stability in the presence
of excess water vapor in the feed.