Catalytic performance for methane combustion of supported Mn-Ce mixed oxides

A series of supported Mn-Ce mixed oxide catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method and used for the oxidation of methane. The catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser Raman spectrum (LRS), and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) techniques. The XRD and LRS results confirmed the high dispersion of active components or formation of solid solution between manganese and cerium oxides in the bulk and on the surface of mixed oxide catalysts. The reducibility was remarkably promoted by the stronger synergistic interaction between the two oxides from H2-TPR measurements. As expected, all the experimental mixed oxide catalysts showed excellent activity for methane combustion at low temperature. Especially, for the catalyst with Mn-Ce ratio 3:7, methane conversion reached 92% at a temperature as low as 470 °C.