Development of a Ni–Pd/CeZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst for the effective conversion of methane into hydrogen-containing gas

The effects of the Pd content (0–1 wt %) and the synthesis method (joint impregnation with Ni + Pd and Pd/Ni or Ni/Pd sequential impregnation) on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of Ni–Pd/CeZrO₂/Al₂O₃ were studied in order to develop an efficient catalyst for the conversion of methane into hydrogen-containing gas. It was shown that variation in the palladium content and a change in the method used for the introduction of an active constituent into the support matrix make it possible to regulate the redox properties of nickel cations but do not affect the size of NiO particles (14.0 ± 0.5 nm) and the phase composition of the catalyst ((γ + δ)-Al₂O₃, CeZrO₂ solid solution, and NiO). It was established that the activity of Ni–Pd catalysts in the reaction of autothermal methane reforming depends on the method of synthesis and increases in the following order: Ni + Pd < Ni/Pd < Pd/Ni. It was found that, as the Pd content of the Ni–Pd/CeZrO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst was decreased from 1 to 0.05 wt %, the ability for self-activation, high activity, and operational stability of the catalyst under the conditions of autothermal methane reforming remained unaffected: at 850°C, the yield of hydrogen was ~70% at a methane conversion of ~100% during a 24-h reaction.     

Pentacoordinated Al3+‐Stabilized Active Pd Structures on Al2O3‐Coated Palladium Catalysts for Methane Combustion

Supported Pd catalysts are active in catalyzing the highly exothermic methane combustion reaction but tend to be deactivated owing to local hyperthermal environments. Herein we report an effective approach to stabilize Pd/SiO₂ catalysts with porous Al₂O₃ overlayers coated by atomic layer deposition (ALD). ²⁷Al magic angle spinning NMR analysis showed that Al₂O₃ overlayers on Pd particles coated by the ALD method are rich in pentacoordinated Al³⁺ sites capable of strongly interacting with adjacent surface PdO_x phases on supported Pd particles. Consequently, Al₂O₃‐decorated Pd/SiO₂ catalysts exhibit active and stable PdO_x and Pd–PdO_x structures to efficiently catalyze methane combustion between 200 and 850 °C. These results reveal the unique structural characteristics of Al₂O₃ overlayers on metal surfaces coated by the ALD method and provide a practical strategy to explore stable and efficient supported Pd catalysts for methane combustion.     

Bimetallic Pd—Pt/γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for complete methane oxidation: the effect of the Pt: Pd ratio

Alumina-supported bimetallic Pt—Pd catalysts proved to be more active in the complete oxidation of methane than monometallic systems (Pt/Al₂O₃, Pd/Al₂O₃). The maximum activity of the bimetallic catalysts was achieved at ~40 at.% Pt in Pd on the catalyst surface. After the oxidation reaction, redistribution of platinum and palladium was observed in the active component of the catalysts with the degree of redistribution depending on the initial Pt: Pd ratio.     

The Metal–Support Interaction Concerning the Particle Size Effect of Pd/Al2O3 on Methane Combustion

The particle size effect of Pd nanoparticles supported on alumina with various crystalline phases on methane combustion was investigated. Pd/θ, α‐Al₂O₃ with weak metal‐support interaction showed a volcano‐shaped dependence of the catalytic activity on the size of Pd particles, and the catalytic activity of the strongly interacted Pd/γ‐Al₂O₃ increased with the particle size. Based on a structural analysis of Pd nanoparticles using CO adsorption IR spectroscopy and spherical aberration‐corrected scanning/transmission electron microscopy, the dependence of catalytic activity on Pd particle size and the alumina crystalline phase was due to the fraction of step sites on Pd particle surface. The difference in fraction of the step site is derived from the particle shape, which varies not only with Pd particle size but also with the strength of metal–support interaction. Therefore, this interaction perturbs the particle size effect of Pd/Al₂O₃ for methane combustion.     

Catalytic properties of Pd supported on hexaaluminate coated alumina in low temperature combustion of coal mine ventilation air methane

Palladium supported on γ-Al₂O₃ has been demonstrated as most active catalyst for catalytic combustion of methane. However, the sintering of support and PdO seriously affects its activity. We prepared a composite Pd/hexaaluminate/Al₂O₃ catalyst and compared its catalytic activity as well as sintering behavior with Pd/Al₂O₃. This composite catalyst exhibits higher activity and better resistance to sintering. The effect of water vapor presented in feed has also been investigated.     

Thermal characterization of titania-modified alumina-supported palladium and catalytic properties for methane combustion

Thermal characterization of Pd/TiO₂-Al₂O₃ catalysts under oxygen or hydrogen atmosphere was investigated by means of thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Further, the effects of titania on the catalytic property of Pd/Al₂O₃ towards methane combustion were also examined. A TG-DSC studies revealed that the heat evolved during oxygen adsorption at 25 °C depended on the crystallite diameter. TPR and TPD studies of oxidized samples also demonstrated that the coating of Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts with titania can weaken the strength of the PdO bonds. Apparently the effect of coating Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst with TiO₂ is the improvement of the methane combustion at lower temperatures. This is probably due to the decrease of the strength of the PdO bonds.     

Pd/Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for the selective liquid-phase hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene

The structure of Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ supports and Pd/Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ catalysts and the performance of these catalysts in liquid-phase acetylene hydrogenation have been investigated. The deposition of Ga(NO₃)₃ onto Al₂O₃ by impregnation followed by calcination of the impregnated support at 600°C yields γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ solid solutions containing up to 50 wt % Ga₂O₃. X-ray diffraction characterization of model palladium catalysts and their temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen have demonstrated that, while palladium in Pd/Ga₂O₃ is in the form of a Pd₂Ga alloy, in the Pd/γ-Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ catalyst there is no direct interaction between PdО and Ga₂O₃ particles and palladium is in the monometallic state. The introduction of 10–20 wt % gallium oxide into Al₂O₃ lowers the activity of the supported palladium catalyst relative to that of the initial Pd/Al₂O₃ but increases the ethylene yield by enhancing the ethylene formation selectivity.     

焙烧温度对 Pd/Al2O3 催化剂上甲烷燃烧反应性能的影响

 考察了载体与催化剂焙烧温度对 Pd/Al2O3 催化剂上低浓度甲烷催化燃烧反应性能的影响. 采用 X 射线衍射、透射电镜、N2 物理吸附、NH3 程序升温脱附和 O2 程序升温氧化等手段对载体和催化剂进行了表征. 结果表明, 焙烧温度对催化剂活性及稳定性的影响显著. 随着载体焙烧温度的升高, Al2O3 的比表面积、物相结构、酸中心的数量及强度明显改变, 相应的 Pd/Al2O3 催化剂中载体与 Pd 的相互作用减弱, Pd 分散度降低. 当载体焙烧温度为 1 100 °C, Pd/Al2O3 焙烧温度为 200 °C 时, 所得催化剂在 260 h 的连续反应中, 甲烷转化率始终维持在 99%以上.     

Improvement of the Pd/Al2O3 Catalyst by the Control of the Sol-Gel Preparative Parameters

In this work, the metal dispersion of the Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst prepared by sol-gel method is improved by an adequate optimisation of the preparative variables. First, the gelation temperature and the ageing time are selected, in order to avoid the reduction of the metal precursor (palladium acetylacetonate, Pd(acac)₂) by the solvent (sec-butanol, sB). The metal sintering effect on the catalysts treated in oxygen at 500°C is then minimized when the alumina pore size is controlled by the variation of the alumium alkoxide (AsB) concentration and the acetic acid amount ([AcA]/[AsB]). The appearance of new palladium particles on the alumina surface and the matching between the particle diameters and the pore sizes were also effective for the metallic surface area improvement on the samples treated in oxygen at 800°C. Compared to the reference catalysts, the higher metal dispersion obtained on the sol-gel ones was the determinant factor for their higher catalytic activity in methane combustion.     

Methane Combustion over Pd/Al2O3 Catalyst: Effects of Chlorine Ions and Water on Catalytic Activity

The influences of residual chlorine ions and water on the performance of a Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst in methane combustion have been studied. The results show that the catalyst containing Cl⁻ exhibits a relatively low activity, and the addition of water to the reaction system accelerates the deactivation process. The catalyst has been characterized by N₂ adsorption, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetry (TG). The results show that the presence of Cl⁻ appears to strongly inhibit the total oxidation of methane and hinder the dispersion of Pd on Al₂O₃. The formation of Pd(OH)₂ during the reaction is the most likely reason for the inhibition effect of water, which is confirmed by FT-IR and TG analysis. The regeneration of the Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst can be achieved by purging in nitrogen at 550 °C.     

Development of magnetic,ferrite supported palladium catalysts for 2,4-dinitrotoluene hydrogenation

Cobalt, copper, and nickel ferrite spinel nanoparticles have been synthesized by using a combination of sonochemical treatment and combustion. The magnetic nanoparticles have been used as supports to prepare ~4 wt% palladium catalysts. The ferrites were dispersed in an ethanolic solution of Pd(II) nitrate by ultrasonication. The palladium ions were reduced to metallic Pd nanoparticles, which were then attached to the surface of the different metal oxide supports. Thus, three different catalysts (Pd/CoFe₂O₄, Pd/CuFe₂O₄, Pd/NiFe₂O₄) were made and tested in the hydrogenation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT). A possible reaction mechanism, including the detected species, has been envisaged based on the results. The highest 2,4-diaminotoluene (TDA) yield (99 n/n%) has been achieved by using the Pd/NiFe₂O₄ catalyst. Furthermore, the TDA yield was also reasonable (84.2 n/n%) when the Pd/CoFe₂O₄ catalyst was used. In this case, complete and easy recovery of the catalyst from the reaction medium is ensured, as the ferrite support is fully magnetic. Thus, the catalyst is very well suited for applicationy in the hydrogenation of DNT or other aromatic nitro compounds.     

Preparation of cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene by cis-selective semi-hydrogenation of perfluoro-2-butyne

Cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene has a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP), low global warming potential (GWP) and non-flammable properties, so it is believed to be a potential foam expansion agent. For the synthetic process of cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene, the process catalysts are the key factors for its yield and cost. In this paper, the catalysts of palladium attached to porous aluminum fluoride, to active carbon, to Al₂O₃, and the blends of palladium and bismuth to AlF₃ used to prepare cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene by cis-selective semi-hydrogenation of perfluoro-2-butyne were investigated. The performance of above-mentioned catalysts was compared in reaction process. The experimental results indicate that the additive of bismuth to palladium catalyst is useful for improving the activity and selectivity compared to Pd/C and Pd/Al₂O₃. The role of bismuth in the synthetic process is discussed based on the experimental results and theory analysis.     

The Preparation and Characterization of Highly Dispersed PdO over Alumina for Low‐temperature Combustion of Methane

PdO/Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by glow discharge plasma treatment followed by thermal calcination show a much higher dispersion and a better catalytic activity for methane combustion at relatively low temperatures. The dispersion of palladium active species by such plasma prepared catalysts is 29.7%, 5.4 times higher than that of conventional catalysts. XPS analysis indicates that a surface enrichment of Pd active species (PdO) has been achieved after plasma treatment. The surface atomic composition of PdO of plasma prepared catalysts reaches 10.5%. XRD characterization also confirms a wellcrystallized PdO phase present on the plasma prepared catalyst. The lightoff temperature of the plasma prepared catalyst is 370°C, 50°C lower than that obtained from the conventional catalyst.     

A Non‐Phosgene Route Synthesis of Carbamate in Continuous Fixed Bed Reactor

A non‐phosgene route synthesis of carbamate was carried out in a continuous fixed‐bed reactor through oxidative carbonylation of aniline using palladium catalysts and sodium iodide as promoter. The activity, selectivity and stability of both carbon and alumina‐supported palladium catalysts were evaluated. It was found that the alumina‐supported catalyst system exhibited a higher activity and selectivity than that of the carbon‐supported system, and an average aniline conversion of 95.6% and carbamate selectivity of 74.6% were achieved for the Se‐Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst after 91 h on stream. Reclamation analysis of the spent Pd/C catalyst suggested that the deactivation was mainly due to the leaching and sintering of palladium metal and the accumulation of insoluble chemicals on catalyst support also aggravated the decline of catalyst activity. When small amounts of selenium were added to the Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst, its activity, selectivity and stability were significantly improved which indicated that a promotional effect existed for carbamate formation on a Pd‐Se catalyst system.     

Preparation of highly active and reusable heterogeneous Al2O3–Pd catalysts by the sol–gel method using bayberry tannin as stabilizer

A novel heterogeneous Al₂O₃–Pd catalyst has been prepared by the sol–gel method; bayberry tannin (BT) was used as stabilizer to prevent the migration and aggregation of Pd species during calcination. According to N₂ adsorption/desorption determination, Al₂O₃–Pd has a mesoporous structure and its specific area is as high as 336.5 m²/g. Transmission electron microscopy observation indicated that the size of the Pd particles was greatly reduced by the presence of BT. On the basis of X-ray photoelectron spectra analysis, it was found that the most of Pd nanoparticles were dispersed in the pores, implying that BT can prevent migration of Pd particles from the pores to the outer surface of Al₂O₃ during calcination. For comparison, Al₂O₃–Pd^* was prepared by the sol–gel method but without use of BT. In the hydrogenation of acrylic acid, Al₂O₃–Pd had high catalytic activity and excellent reusability compared with commercial and traditionally prepared heterogeneous Pd catalysts. The turnover number of Al₂O₃–Pd is as high as 11,328.0 mol/mol after recycling seven times, which is much higher than that of a commercial Pd–C catalyst (8048.0 mol/mol).     

Catalytic oxidation of methane at low temperature over Pd-containing perovskite type oxides

Two types of catalysts with the same palladium loading, palladium-substituted perovskite La_0.95Ce_0.05Co_0.95Pd_0.05O₃ and perovskite-supported palladium catalyst Pd/La_0.95Ce_0.05CoO₃ were prepared by the combustion and impregnation method, respectively. The catalyst structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET measurements, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and the methane oxidation activity of the catalysts were investigated in detail. It was found that the activity performance of Pd/La_0.95Ce_0.05CoO₃ was higher than that of La_0.95Ce_0.05Co_0.95Pd_0.05O₃, and this was owing to the ease of reduction of palladium in the former.     

Influence of Pd-Ce interaction and chlorine ion on hydrodesulfurization reaction: The activity and sulfur tolerance of the Pd-Ceo2/Al2O3 catalyst

CeO₂ promoted palladium catalysts supported on Al₂O₃ were prepared using the impregnation (IM) and the deposition-precipitation (DP) methods. The activities and sulfur tolerance of the catalysts for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) were detected with thiophene HDS as probe reaction. H₂ adsorption, XRD, FTIR, NH₃-TPD, XPS were used to characterize the catalysts. The Pd-CeO₂/Al₂O₃ (IM) catalyst was highly active for the HDS reaction, and it had much stronger sulfur tolerance than the Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Pd-CeO₂/Al₂O₃ (DP) showed excellent sulfur tolerance while its initial activity decreased. It was observed that with the chlorine bridge, the interfacial structure of Pd-Cl⁻¹-Ce³⁺ was responsible for the high activity of the Pd-CeO₂/Al₂O₃ (IM) catalyst, at the same time the interaction of Pd with Ce was weakened by Cl₋₁ ions. The enhanced sulfur tolerance over the Pd-CeO₂/Al₂O₃ (IM) catalyst was attributed to the weakened Pd-S bond caused by the competitive adsorption of H₂S on Ce³⁺ ions. As to the Pd-CeO₂/Al₂O₃ (DP) catalyst, a strong interaction of Pd with Ce put Pd at an electron-deficient state, the creation of sulfided palladium was therefore inhibited.     

超声改性的CuO/Al2O3-MgO催化剂结构 及其超低浓度甲烷催化燃烧性能

采用普通浸渍和超声改性的方法分别制备了CuO/Al₂O₃-MgO催化剂,用于超低浓度甲烷的催化燃烧,并利用SEM、XRD、XPS、H₂-TPR等技术对催化剂进行表征,研究了超声改性作用对催化剂的结构和性能的影响.结果表明,与普通浸渍法制备的催化剂相比,在超声改性的CuO/Al₂O₃-MgO催化剂上,甲烷的转化率得到提高,燃烧特征温度降低.随着超声时间的延长和超声功率的增加,催化剂的催化活性均呈现先增大后减小的趋势;催化剂制备的最佳超声工况为功率150 W、时间20 min.超声改性可使催化剂的比表面积和孔容积增大,表面催化活性较高的Cu⁺浓度增加,活性组分CuO由晶相向非晶相转变、分散度增大,晶粒粒径变小、分布更均匀;这使得甲烷催化燃烧的表观活化能下降、催化剂活性得到增强.     

Calorimetric study of methane interaction with supported Pd catalysts

As supported palladium oxide catalysts present the best performances in methane combustion in lean conditions, microcalorimetric studies of the interaction between methane and palladium oxide or metallic palladium supported on Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ and BN have been performed at 673 K. At this temperature methane reduced the palladium oxide, and the heat of reduction of palladium oxide was shown to depend on the dispersion and on the support. The lowest heats of reduction corresponded to the highest rates of methane combustion. Moreover methane reforming occurred on metallic palladium, producing hydrogen, and again methane decomposition was shown to depend on the support. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Properties of Pd–Ag/C catalysts in the reaction of selective hydrogenation of acetylene

Samples of Pd/C and Pd–Ag/C, where C represents carbon nanofibers (CNFs), are synthesized by methane decomposition on a Ni–Cu–Fe/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The properties of Pd/CNF are studied in the reaction of selective hydrogenation of acetylene into ethylene. It is found that the activity of the catalyst in hydrogenation reaction increases, while selectivity decreases considerably when the palladium content rises. The obtained dependences are caused by the features of palladium’s interaction with the carbon support. At a low Pd content (up to 0.04 wt %) in the catalyst, the metal is inserted into the interlayer space of graphite and the catalytic activity is zero. It is established by EXAFS that the main share of palladium in catalysts of 0.05–0.1 wt % Pd/CNF constitutes the metal in the atomically dispersed state. The coordination environment of palladium atoms consists of carbon atoms. An increase in the palladium content in a Pd/CNF catalyst up to 0.3 wt % leads to the formation of highly dispersed (0.8–1 nm) Pd particles. The Pd/CNF samples where palladium is mainly in the atomically dispersed state exhibit the highest selectivity in the acetylene hydrogenation reaction. The addition of silver to a 0.1 wt % Pd/CNF catalyst initially probably leads to the formation of Pd–Ag clusters and then to alloyed Pd–Ag particles. An increase in the silver content in the catalyst above 0.3% causes the enlargement of the alloyed particles and the palladium atoms are blocked by a silver layer, which considerably decreases the catalytic activity in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene.