Enhanced catalytic performance of Pd‐Ga bimetallic catalysts for 2‐ethylanthraquinone hydrogenation

A series of Pd and Pd‐Ga bimetallic catalysts were prepared by a co‐impregnation method for 2‐ethylanthraquinone (EAQ) hydrogenation to produce hydrogen peroxide. Compared with 0.6Pd catalyst, the hydrogenation efficiency of 0.6Pd1.2Ga catalyst (11.9 g L^?1) increases by 32.2%, and the stability of 0.6Pd1.2Ga catalyst is also higher than that of 0.6Pd catalyst. The structures of the samples were determined by N₂ adsorption–desorption, ICP, XRD, CO chemisorption, TEM, H₂‐TPR, in situ CO‐DRIFTS and XPS. The results suggest that incorporation of Ga species improves Pd dispersion and generates a strong interaction between Ga₂O₃ and Pd interface or between Pd and support. DFT calculation results indicate that the strong adsorption of carbonyl group on Ga₂O₃/Pd interface facilitates the activation of EAQ and promotes the hydrogenation efficiency.