FTIR study of CO adsorption on Rh/MgO modified with Co, Ni, Fe, or CeO2 for the catalytic partial oxidation of methane

The surface state of Rh/MgO catalysts modified with Co, Ni, Fe, or CeO(2) after the reduction and partial oxidation pretreatments as well as during the catalytic partial oxidation of methane has been investigated by FTIR of adsorbed CO. The results of CO adsorption on the reduced catalysts suggest the formation of Rh-M alloy on Rh-M/MgO (M = Co, Ni, Fe) and Rh particles partially covered with reduced ceria on Rh-CeO(2)/MgO. The strength of CO adsorption on Rh/MgO is weakened by the modification with Co, Ni, Fe, or CeO(2). Partial oxidation pretreatment of Rh/MgO leads to a significant decrease in the CO adsorption due to the oxidation of Rh. In contrast, on partially oxidized Rh-M/MgO (M = Co, Ni, Fe) and Rh-CeO(2)/MgO, the preferential oxidation of the surface M atoms or reduced ceria maintains the metallic Rh and preserves the CO adsorbed on the surface Rh atoms. The CO adsorption during the reaction of catalytic partial oxidation of methane on Rh/MgO and Rh-Ni/MgO is similar to that on the reduced catalysts. On the other hand, the CO adsorption during the reaction on Rh-Co/MgO, Rh-Fe/MgO, and Rh-CeO(2)/MgO is different from that on the reduced catalysts, and this is related to the structural change of these catalysts during the reaction.