Activation of Surface Lattice Oxygen in Ceria Supported Pt/Al2O3 Catalyst for Low‐Temperature Propane Oxidation

Abstract The synergy between active Pt species and ceria results in the presence of more coordinately unsaturated Pt 2+ and Pt 4+ species, which were found to be critical to drive C− and C−H bonds activation and enhance propane oxidation. Surface lattice oxygen on ceria in the vicinity of electron‐deficient Pt species provides the enhanced reactivity for low‐temperature propane oxidation. The reducibility and amount of activated surface oxygen species play a significant role in improving the reaction rates of propane oxidation in the 150∼300 °C temperature range. Ceria effectively promotes oxidative redispersion of platinum crystallites supported on alumina during propane oxidation in O 2 ‐rich conditions, due to the unique ability to trap and stabilize ionic platinum.