Effect of heat treatment of activated carbon supports on the loading and activity of Pt catalyst

The study has been done on the effect of heat treatment of activated carbon at 1573-1773 K on its structural and electronic properties as a catalyst support. The X-ray diffraction result indicated that a partly graphitized structure was formed when the activated carbon was heated to a high temperature (1673 K). From the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy result, it was found that Pt0 concentration was increased, but PtO and PtO2 concentrations were decreased with an increase in the heat treatment temperature. From the van Dam's model applied to this result, it might be concluded that more “π-sites” are created as the heat treatment temperature becomes higher. From the CO-chemisorption result, the highest loading was observed in case of Pt/AC1673 sample. This improved loading ability could be explained by the special interaction of the graphitic planes (π-sites) with the metal particles. Based on the catalytic activity, CO-chemisorption and XPS results, it is concluded that the well-loaded Pt0 species mainly contribute to the catalytic activity. Moreover, it was found that different degrees of graphitization of heat treated activated carbon could cause different surface Pt0 and improve the resistance of carbon support against gasification under air oxidation.