Synthesis of neodymium modified CeO2-ZrO2-Al2O3 support materials and their application in Pd-only three-way catalysts

Ce-Zr-Al-Nd2O3 (CZAN) support materials were prepared by co-precipitation and impregnation methods, respectively. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), low temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption, oxygen pulsing technique, H2-temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Pd-only three-way catalysts (Pd-TWC) supported on these materials were prepared by incipient wetness method and studied by activity tests. The results demonstrated that the CZAN supports obtained by the two methods showed better structural, textural and redox properties than the CZA without Nd2O3, and the addition of Nd2O3 improved the catalytic activity of TWC. Especially, the CZAN-i support prepared by impregnation method had better thermal stability and redox property. Meanwhile, the Pd/CZAN-i catalyst exhibited the best catalytic performance. XPS measurements indicated that the Nd-modified samples possessed more Ce3+ and oxygen vacancies on the surface of samples, which led to a better redox property. The excellent redox property of support materials helped to improve the catalytic activity of TWC.