Comparative XPS Study of Al2O3 and CeO2Sulfation in Reactions with SO2, SO2 + O2, SO2 + H2O,and SO2 + O2 + H2O

The interactions of Al₂O₃, CeO₂, Pt/Al₂O₃, and Pt/CeO₂ films with SO₂, SO₂ + H₂O, SO₂ + O₂, and SO₂ + O₂ + H₂O in the temperature range 300–673 K at the partial pressures of SO₂, O₂, and H₂O equal to 1.5 × 10², 1.5 × 10², and 3 × 10² Pa, respectively, were studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The formation of surface sulfite at T 473 K (the S 2p _3/2 binding energy (E _b) is 167.5 eV) and surface sulfate at T 573 K (E _b = 169.2 eV) was observed in the reactions of Al₂O₃ and CeO₂ with SO₂. The formation of sulfates on the surface of CeO₂ occurred much more effectively than in the case of Al₂O₃, and it was accompanied by the reduction of Ce(IV) to Ce(III). The formation of aluminum and cerium sulfates and sulfites on model Pt/Al₂O₃ and Pt/CeO₂ catalysts occurred simultaneously with the formation of surface platinum sulfides (E _b of S 2p _3/2 is 162.2 eV). The effects of oxygen and water vapor on the nature and yield of sulfur-containing products were studied.