Catalytic Activity and Thermal Stability of LaFe1−xCuxO3 and La2CuO4 Perovskite Solids in Three-Way-Catalysis

LaFe 1−x Cu x O 3 and La 2 CuO 4 catalysts are investigated for three-way-catalysis application. LaFe 1−x Cu x O 3 solids present interesting catalytic properties mainly with respect to hydrocarbon and CO oxidation and NO reduction in rich conditions with high N 2 selectivity. The partial substitution of iron with copper leads to enhanced catalytic activity for oxidation reactions. This can be attributed to the higher reducibility of the solid as evidenced earlier by H 2 -temperature-programmed reduction. The orthorhombic structure associated with LaFe 1−x Cu x O 3 solids (x up to 0.2) revealed good thermal stability during catalytic cycles in stoichiometric, lean and rich conditions whereas the Ruddlesden Popper phase associated with La 2 CuO 4 completely decomposed in rich conditions.