In-situ XAS study on the Cu and Ce local structural changes in a CuO-CeO2/Al2O3 catalyst under propane reduction and re-oxidation

The redox behaviour of a CuO-CeO2/Al2O3 catalyst is studied under propane reduction and re-oxidation. The evolution of the local Cu and Ce structure is studied with in-situ transmission X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Cu K and Ce L-3 absorption edges. CuO and CeO2 structures are present in the catalyst as such. No structural effect on the local Cu structure is observed upon heating in He up to 873 K or after pre-oxidation at 423 K. Exposure to propane at reaction temperature (600-763 K) fully reduces the Cu2+ cations towards metallic Cu-0. Quick EXAFS spectra taken during reduction show a small amount of intermediate Cu1+ species. Parallel to the CuO reduction, CeO2 is also reduced in the same temperature range. About 25% of the Ce4+ reduces rapidly to Ce3+ in the 610-640 K temperature interval, while beyond 640 K a further slower reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+ occurs. At 763 K, Ce reduction is still incomplete with 32% of Ce3+. Re-oxidation of Cu and Ce is fast and brings back the original oxides. The propane reduction of the CuO-CeO2/Al2O3 catalyst involves both CuO and CeO2 reduction at similar temperatures, which is ascribed to an interaction between the two compounds. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.