Palladium catalysts supported on alumina and zirconia were prepared by the impregnation method and calcined at 600 and 1000 ºC. Catalysts were characterized by BET measurements, XRD, XPS, O2-TPD and tested in methane combustion through temperature programmed surface reaction. Alumina supported catalysts were slightly more active than zirconia supported catalysts, but after initial heat treatment at 1000 ºC, zirconia supported palladium catalyst showed better performance above 500 ºC A pattern between temperature interval stability of PdOx species and activity was observed, where better PdOx stability was associated with more active catalysts.

The catalytic combustion of methane on alumina supported palladium catalysts was studied. It has been reported that the activity of the catalyst increases with its time on line, despite of an increase of the palladium particle size. However, different preparation, pretreatment and testing conditions can be the reason for the observed different results. An experimental design, which allows to verify the influence of several parameters at the same time with a good statistical quality, was used. A Plackett-Burman design was selected for the screening of the variables which have an effect on the increase of the catalyst activity.