High resolution TEM investigation of Ce02/Sm2O3 – supported Pd catalysts for methanol reforming in intermediate temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract. High Resolution TEM (HRTEM) images strongly suggest that Pd catalyst materials containing Sm 20 3, but not Ce02, undergo the dissolution and re-precipitation of the oxide support as an semiamorphous phase during the Pd impregnation step. The Pd appears to be intimately associated with this semi-amorphous phase and is seen to emerge from it following reductive and thermal pretreatments to form identifiable Pd particles. This behaviour can be used to understand the activity of this group of catalysts for methanol reforming.