Identification and localization of Pt species in Pt-NaA zeolite catalysts prepared by direct synthesis

Several characterization techniques were employed to elucidate the Pt species present in the structure of Pt-NaA catalysts. Three types of Pt particles were identified: nanoparticles located at the surface of the crystals (with a higher size and flattened form), 1–2 nm particles inside the structure, and sub-nanometric particles, lower than 1 nm, confined in the pores. The low PtPt coordination number (EXAFS) is compatible with both flattened dihedral-like morphology, as well as the presence of sub-nanometric particles. The Pt0.6_NaA catalyst exhibited higher activity (in the WGS) than the other catalysts, which could be related to the presence of small particles.