Ceria promoted γ-Al2O3 supported platinum catalyst for catalytic wet air oxidation of oxalic acid: kinetics and catalyst deactivation

Alumina-supported platinum catalysts were prepared for catalytic wet air oxidation of oxalic acid. Addition of ceria as a promoter to alumina supported catalyst enhanced the catalytic activity, and significant conversions of about 74% were obtained at 363 K and atmospheric pressure. The long-term deactivation resistance of the ceria promoted Pt/Al2O3 catalyst is higher than that of the Pt/Al2O3 catalyst. A deactivation study of the catalysts was carried out using selective chemisorption, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. The deactivation observed with the Pt/Al2O3 catalyst was attributed to the over oxidation of the surface of platinum by molecular oxygen and coke deposition on the catalyst surface.