Synergy between tungsten and palladium supported on titania for the catalytic total oxidation of propane

► Pd/TiO2 catalysts modified by WOx show enhanced activity for propane total oxidation. ► With WOx present PdO nanoparticles, some with epitaxial orientation, were formed. ► WOx species were enriched at the peripheral interface of the PdO nanoparticles. ► WOx-decorated interface between PdO and TiO2 may be responsible for enhanced activity.