In-situ XPS study on the reducibility of Pd-promoted Cu/CeO₂ catalysts for the oxygen-assisted water-gas-shift reaction

Cu/CeO₂, Pd/CeO₂, and CuPd/CeO₂ catalysts were prepared and their reduction followed by in-situ XPS in order to explore promoter and support interactions in a bimetallic CuPd/CeO₂ catalyst effective for the oxygen-assisted water-gas-shift (OWGS) reaction. Mutual interactions between Cu, Pd, and CeO₂ components all affect the reduction process. Addition of only 1 wt% Pd to 30 wt% Cu/CeO₂ greatly enhances the reducibility of both dispersed CuO and ceria support. In-vacuo reduction (inside XPS chamber) up to 400 °C results in a continuous growth of metallic copper and Ce³⁺ surface species, although higher temperatures results in support reoxidation. Supported copper in turn destabilizes metallic palladium metal with respect to PdO, this mutual perturbation indicating a strong intimate interaction between the Cu–Pd components. Despite its lower intrinsic reactivity towards OWGS, palladium addition at only 1 wt% loading significantly improved CO conversion in OWGS reaction over a monometallic 30 wt% Cu/CeO₂ catalysts, possibly by helping to maintain Cu in a reduced state during reaction.