Dynamic “operando” observation of 1 wt% Pd-based TWCs: Simultaneous XAS/DRIFTS/mass spectrometry analysis of the effects of Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 loading on structure, reactivity and performance

The behavior of 1 wt% Pd-TWCs (three-way catalysts), containing up to 33 wt% Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 is followed under reducing (CO) and oxidizing (NO) cycling conditions. The dynamic behavior of these systems is analyzed using a synchronous, time-resolved energy dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and mass spectrometry (MS) set-up with subsecond time resolution. Two main physico-chemical phenomena corresponding to noble metal morphological (size/shape) changes and the redox behavior of the noble metal–promoter interface are shown to control the TWC response to NO/CO cycling conditions. Metal-only aspects strongly influence N–O dissociation and N–N coupling steps while the metal–promoter interface has a global influence on both N2 and CO2 formation via oxygen handling (storage/release) properties. The relative importance of these two phenomena is studied as a function of the Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 promoter content of the catalysts.