Inhibition effect of sulfation on Pt/TiO2 catalysts in methane combustion

The sulfation of TiO 2 supports drastically aggravates the reduction of Pt 2+ →Pt 0 in Pt/TiO 2 -S catalysts under the oxidizing atmosphere, causing the severe deactivation of activity towards CH 4 combustion. • The Pt/TiO 2 -S catalysts with SO 4 2- modification were synthesized. • The sulfated TiO 2 aggravates the reduction of Pt 2+ →Pt 0 of Pt/TiO 2 -S catalysts. • The Pt/TiO 2 -S catalysts exhibit a serious deactivation for methane combustion. • The sulfation of TiO 2 support weakens the adsorption of CH 4 molecules. • The Pt/TiO 2 -S catalyst raises the activation energy barrier of the initial C-H.