Temperature Hysteresis in the Reaction of Methane Oxidation on a Palladium-Doped Manganese Hexaaluminate Catalyst

A study of the Pd-containing catalyst based on manganese hexaaluminate by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, thermo-programmed reduction with hydrogen, and thermoprogrammed oxidation showed the hysteresis manifested itself in a difference between the temperature dependences of its catalytic activity in the oxidation of methane under the conditions of sample heating or cooling is related to the decomposition of PdO to metallic palladium at temperatures higher than 700–800°C and the subsequent formation of PdO nanoparticles, which are localized on the surface of metallic Pd (30–50 nm) in the form of polycrystalline films with a thickness of 2–5 nm, at temperatures lower than 600–700°C. A near-surface oxide film is formed under the conditions of cooling in oxygen-containing atmospheres, including in the presence of methane. The value of the hysteresis depends on the heat treatment temperature of the catalyst, and it reaches a maximum on the catalysts calcined at 900 and 1000°C.