The Metal–Support Interaction Concerning the Particle Size Effect of Pd/Al2O3 on Methane Combustion

The particle size effect of Pd nanoparticles supported on alumina with various crystalline phases on methane combustion was investigated. Pd/θ, α-Al2 O3 with weak metal-support interaction showed a volcano-shaped dependence of the catalytic activity on the size of Pd particles, and the catalytic activity of the strongly interacted Pd/γ-Al2 O3 increased with the particle size. Based on a structural analysis of Pd nanoparticles using CO adsorption IR spectroscopy and spherical aberration-corrected scanning/transmission electron microscopy, the dependence of catalytic activity on Pd particle size and the alumina crystalline phase was due to the fraction of step sites on Pd particle surface. The difference in fraction of the step site is derived from the particle shape, which varies not only with Pd particle size but also with the strength of metal-support interaction. Therefore, this interaction perturbs the particle size effect of Pd/Al2 O3 for methane combustion.