Ammonia selective
catalytic oxidation (NH3-SCO) is a
commercial technology applied to diesel vehicles to eliminate ammonia
leakage. In this study, a series of Pt/Al2O3 catalysts were synthesized by an impregnation method, and the state
of Pt species was carefully adjusted by heat treatment. These Pt/Al2O3 catalysts were further systematically characterized
by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, X-ray diffraction, X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption fine structure, UV–vis,
H2-tempertaure-programmed reduction, and NH3-temperature-programmed desorption. The characterization results
showed that dispersed oxidized Pt species were present on conventional
Pt/Al2O3 samples, while high-temperature treatment
induced the aggregation of platinum species to form metallic Pt nanoparticles.
The Pt/Al2O3 catalysts treated at high temperatures
showed superior activity and water tolerance in the NH3-SCO reaction. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy
combined with mass spectrometry experiments revealed that the Lewis
acid sites were more reactive than the Brønsted acid sites. Moreover,
compared to oxidized Pt species, metallic Pt nanoparticles were beneficial
for oxygen activation and were less affected by water vapor, thus
contributing to the superior activity and water tolerance of Pt/Al-800.