The effect of loading on sintering and catalytic activity of Pt/SiO2 hybrid catalyst powders synthesized via spray pyrolysis

Abstract

Platinum (Pt) is commonly used as a heterogeneous catalyst to effectively convert carbon monoxide (CO) from automobile exhaust gas into carbon dioxide (CO2). Platinum/silica (Pt/SiO2) hybrid catalyst powders with varying Pt content were synthesized via a spray pyrolysis process. The average particle size and specific surface area of the Pt nanoparticles on the Pt/SiO2 hybrid catalyst powders were characterized as-prepared and after heat treatment. As the Pt loading increased, the Pt nanoparticles grew on the surface of the SiO2 as a result of sintering, and the catalytic efficiency decreased. This work demonstrates that the Pt/SiO2 (4 wt% Pt) hybrid catalyst powder is suitable as a high-temperature automobile exhaust catalyst, compared with the Pt/SiO2 hybrid catalyst powder with high Pt loading (14 wt% Pt), indicating that metal nanoparticle loading is a key factor for determining catalytic activity.