<p>Zeolites with
different framework structures (SSZ-13, ZSM-5, BEA) but similar Si/Al ratios and
Pd loading (~1 wt%) were synthesized and evaluated as low temperature passive
NOx adsorbers (PNA). These materials exhibit high NOx adsorption efficiency with
atomically dispersed Pd the active adsorption site. Hydrothermal aging at 750
ºC for 16 hours in the presence of 10% water vapor in air resulted in the
formation of PdO nanoparticles in all three samples as evidenced by high energy
XRD. Hydrothermal aging of the small-pore Pd/SSZ-13 (Si/Al = 6), which contain
~100-90% atomically dispersed palladium ions, decreases its PNA performance only
by ~10-20%, indicating agglomeration of only ~10-20% of all atomically
dispersed Pd into PdO. High-field solid state <sup>27</sup>Al NMR studies on the
fresh and aged samples substantiate dealumination and significant changes in the
distribution of Al (and thus, Brönsted acid) sites after hydrothermal aging.
FTIR measurements with NO probe molecule and titration of Brönsted acid sites
with nitrosyl (NO<sup>+</sup>)<sup> </sup>ions further corroborate the <sup>27</sup>Al
NMR data. Because framework aluminum atoms are the anchoring sites for
atomically dispersed Pd ions, their elution from the framework causes the loss
of active atomically dispersed Pd species. With the aid of HAADF-STEM imaging
and synchrotron XRD studies, we further confirm and visualize the fate of these
Pd species – they agglomerate into PdO nanoparticles on the external surface of
zeolite. Consequently, these changes lead to the decrease in PNA performance of
these materials after hydrothermal aging. The thus formed agglomerates cannot
be re-dispersed back to their ionic state due to the loss of framework Al
T-sites and/or inherent stability of such large PdO particles.</p>
<p>Our study
demonstrates that, unlike in previous studies that found increased PNA
performance upon HTA, high temperatures hydrothermal aging of PNA materials,
that contain atomically dispersed Pd initially, results in a decrease in NOx
storage efficiency due to the formation of PdO agglomerates. However, we also highlight
the high hydrothermal stability of predominantly atomically dispersed 1-3 wt%
Pd/SSZ-13 (Si/Al = 6), whose performance decreases only marginally after
prolonged hydrothermal aging at 750 ºC. This study shows that hydrothermally
stable passive NOx materials can be prepared using small-pore SSZ-13 zeolite. </p>