Catalytic CO Oxidation over Pt nanoparticles prepared from the Polyol Reduction Method supported on Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia

Pt nanoparticles were synthesized using a polyol process with ethylene glycol as a reducing agent. Nanoparticles of three average sizes were synthesized (3.8, 2.8 and 1.7 nm) and were deposited on Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ), carbon black and gamma-Al2O3 resulting in 1 wt. % of Pt on each support. In addition, the conventional wet impregnation method was used to disperse Pt on YSZ. Pt nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The catalytic activity of all these catalysts was investigated for carbon monoxide oxidationin the temperature range of 25-250 degrees C. It has been found that Pt/YSZ catalysts prepared by the polyol process presented the highest catalytic performances is spite of the low specific surface area compared to carbon and gamma-Al2O3 supports. These performances can be explained based on metal/support interactions effect generated between Pt and YSZ or self-induced electrochemical promotion.