Influence of CeO2 addition on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of Pd/TiO2 catalysts in CO oxidation

The influence of CeO₂ addition on the formation of the microstructure, electronic state, and catalytic properties of Pd/TiO₂ supported catalysts in CO oxidation were investigated. It was shown that, when Pd is supported on titanium dioxide modified with cerium dioxide, annealing at 500°C results in the formation of Pd/(CeO₂-TiO₂) catalysts with a nanocrystalline structure composed of incoherently intergrown fine anatase crystals and interblock boundaries in which palladium and cerium are stabilized. The higher catalytic activity of Pd/(CeO₂-TiO₂) catalysts compared to Pd/TiO₂ catalysts is explained by the smaller size of Pd particles and the higher proportion of palladium in the Pd^δ+ state.     

Hydrocarbon production from synthesis gas over ZnO?Cr2O3+SA physical mixtures and Pd/SA impregnated catalysts

The performances of ZnO–Cr₂O₃+silica-alumina physically mixed and Pd impregnated on silica-alumina catalysts in the transformation of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons are compared in the present work. ZnO–Cr₂O₃ or Pd and silicaalumina are used as methanol synthesis and the hydrocarbon formation catalysts, respectively. The highest CO conversion corresponds to the highest relative amount of methanol synthesis active sites. The highest proximity between both types of active sites in the Pd imprenated on silica-alumina produces higher hydrocarbon selectivity and higher C₁ fraction than when using the physically mixed ZnO–Cr₂O₃+silica-alumina catalysts.     

Transition Metal Nitrides as Promising Catalyst Supports for Tuning CO/H2 Syngas Production from Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR) to produce synthesis gas (syngas) with tunable CO/H₂ ratios has been studied by supporting Pd catalysts on transition metal nitride (TMN) substrates. Combining experimental measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, Pd‐modified niobium nitride (Pd/NbN) is found to generate much higher CO and H₂ partial current densities and greater CO Faradaic efficiency than Pd‐modified vanadium nitride (Pd/VN) and commercial Pd/C catalysts. In‐situ X‐ray diffraction identifies the formation of PdH in Pd/NbN and Pd/C under CO₂RR conditions, whereas the Pd in Pd/VN is not fully transformed into the active PdH phase. DFT calculations show that the stabilized *HOCO and weakened *CO intermediates on PdH/NbN are critical to achieving higher CO₂RR activity. This work suggests that NbN is a promising substrate to modify Pd, resulting in an enhanced electrochemical conversion of CO₂ to syngas with a potential reduction in precious metal loading.     

The role of doped Fe on the activity of alumina-supported Pt and Pd diesel exhaust catalysts

Supported Pt and Pd are most commonly used for oxidation catalysts. They have similar and different characteristics for deactivation factors. The catalytic activity of Pt and Pd catalysts supported on ??-Al₂O₃ was studied in the presence and absence of H₂O and SO₂ during CO oxidation under simulated conditions of diesel exhaust gas. Without the addition of H₂O and SO₂ to the feed gas, Pd/Al₂O₃ had a superior catalytic activity compared to Pt/Al₂O₃. The addition of H₂O to the feed gas strongly and negligibly affected the activity of Pd and Pt, respectively, while the addition of SO₂ to the feed gas had a strong poisoning effect on the catalytic activity of both Pt and Pd catalysts. Although being the most active, Pd catalysts exhibited a strong sensitivity to water and sulfur-containing compounds. Fe was added to the Pt and Pd catalysts to introduce sulfur resistance. The addition of Fe enhanced the activity of the catalysts by suppressing the phase transition of Al₂O₃ to Al₂(SO₄)₃ and by hindering metal sintering.     

Racemization of chiral amino alcohols III: Effect of Mg or Ca addition on the activity and stability of the Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst

The racemization of R-(-)-2-amino-1-butanol in a reaction using Co/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts and catalysts modified by Mg or Ca was investigated in this paper. Complete racemization was achieved with a yield of over 83% at using the Mg modified Co/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst under optimized reaction conditions of 170°C and 2.5 MPa of H₂. The catalysts were thoroughly characterized by XRD, XPS, TPR, SEM and TEM. The addition of Mg and Ca may be advantageous for dispersing and stabilizing the active species of the Co/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst, protecting from sintering, significantly improving its catalytic activity and stability.     

Bismuth as an additive modifying the selectivity of palladium catalysts

The influence of bismuth addition on the activity and selectivity of palladium catalysts supported on SiO₂ in the reaction of glucose oxidation to gluconic acid was studied. The catalysts modified with Bi show much better selectivity and activity than palladium catalysts. The XRD studies proved the presence of intermetallic compounds BiPd and Bi₂Pd, which probably increase activity and selectivity of PdBi/SiO₂ catalysts in the oxidation of glucose. The TPO studies of catalysts containing 5 wt.% Pd/SiO₂, 3 wt.% Bi/SiO₂ and 5 wt.% Pd–5 wt.% Bi/SiO₂ show that palladium oxidation occurs at much higher temperatures than in the case of bismuth. The maximum rate of Pd oxidation occurs at around 580 K while the maximum rate of Bi oxidation takes place at around 430 K. Considering the above facts, a reaction involving bimetallic catalysts in oxidizing atmosphere at 333 K should not lead to surface oxidation of palladium and thus their deactivation.     

Deep Oxidation of Methane Over Manganese Oxide Modified by Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba Additives

Manganese oxide catalysts modified by Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba additives were studied for methane deep oxidation. The Ba promoted sample is the most effective one for this reaction among all the catalysts. The catalysts were examined by BET, XRD and H₂-TPR techniques. It is speculated that the formation of some more active oxygen species and the formation of basic sites from the addition of alkaline earth metal oxides are responsible for the improvement of the inherent CH₄ oxidation activity of the modified catalysts.     

Pd–Fe/TiO2 catalysts for phenol degradation with in situ generated H2O2

This study deals with the degradation of phenol over Pd–Fe/TiO₂ catalysts at mild conditions in the presence of in situ generated H₂O₂ from oxygen and formic acid. This catalytic system demonstrated interesting ability to oxidize phenol by Fenton process in a one-pot reaction without the addition of ferrous ion. Lower Pd content catalysts, despite producing a higher hydrogen peroxide amount for bulk purposes, did not reach the same efficiency as the 5Pd–5Fe catalyst in phenol degradation. A close interaction between Pd and iron oxide species is necessary to obtain high active catalysts. These results highlight the advantage of in situ generation of H₂O₂, for oxidation reactions with respect to conventional Fenton process.     

Light-off Performance of Three-Way Catalysts Before and After Accelerated Aging Test with an Engine-Dynamometer

This study demonstrates the reaction behavior during the purification of model automotive exhaust gases over Pd catalysts before and after thermal degradation. In particular, to investigate the relationship between the Pd state and the reaction behavior of Pd/Al₂O₃ and Pd/CeO₂−ZrO₂ (CZ), operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements were performed during purifying exhaust gases over real and model catalysts mimicking the degradation of Pd particles and CZ supports after accelerated aging tests. The NO reduction activity of the aggregated Pd metal species was as high as that of the highly dispersed Pd species, but hydrocarbon (HC) poisoning was significantly enhanced by the aggregation of Pd metal particles caused by thermal aging. The existence of a three-phase boundary (TPB) between the CZ, the Pd particles, and the gas phase strongly affected the catalytic activity at low temperatures, and the presence of a sufficient TPB facilitated the combustion of unburned HCs owing to the oxygen storage performance of CZ. Thus, the TPB reduced the poisoning of the precious metal surface by HC species at low temperatures. Therefore, the findings of this study will facilitate the development of next-generation gas purification catalysts with high activity and durability.     

Studies on TiO2/SiO2 and Pd/TiO2/SiO2 Catalysts in Photoreduction of CO2 with H2O to Methanol

The development of industry induced a massive increase in the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A large amount of CO₂ and its general availability causes that it could be a cheap reactant in a reaction that runs in a way similar to photosynthesis in plants. Pure TiO₂ and metal doped TiO₂ are the most studied semiconductor catalysts for photoreduction of CO₂. The TiO₂/SiO₂ and Pd/TiO₂/SiO₂ catalysts were prepared and studied by temperature-programmed desorption, X-ray diffraction analysis, SEM-EDS, temperature-programmed reduction and then used for the methanol synthesis. The photoactivity of Pd/TiO₂/SiO₂ catalysts in the reduction of CO₂ with H₂O was tested at room temperature using photoreactor equipped with 16 lamps. The wavelength was characteristic of near ultraviolet. Post-reaction products were identified with gas chromatograph equipped with the flame ionization detector. Pd doping made the catalysts photoactive and the photoactivity of catalysts was changing as follows: 1%Pd/5%TiO₂/SiO₂ > 1% Pd/10% TiO₂/SiO₂ > 1% Pd/15% TiO₂/SiO₂. Optimum ultraviolet radiation time in the photoreduction of CO₂ to methanol was 7 h. An addition of Pd does not change the surface of the carrier.     

Advanced heterogeneous Pd catalysts for the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction with aryl bromides

The set of heterogeneous Pd catalysts containing different forms of Pd (PdCl₄^2– or Pd⁰) was prepared by chemical modification and laser electrodispersion using two types of ₊ supports, namely, SiO₂ modified by ionic liquid and γ-Al₂O₃. Testing of the synthesized catalysts in the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction with aryl bromides pointed out the possibility to achieve the prominent TOF and TON values. The dependencies of TOF on the catalyst loading indicate that only a fraction of loaded Pd was involved in the catalysis.     

Immobilization of Pd Catalysts on Mesoporous Silica for Amine- and Copper-Free Sonogashira Coupling Reactions

Immobilization of catalysts on solid supports is a promising approach to combine the advantages of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂, known as an extremely active homogeneous catalyst for the Sonogashira coupling reaction, has been immobilized on high-surface-area MCF (mesocellular foams)–type mesoporous silica powder modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and subsequently with diphenylphosphine. The functionalized MCF-type silica and supported catalysts have been characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, nitrogen sorption porosimetry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Such supported Pd catalysts have proven to be useful recyclable reagents for copper- and amine-free Sonogashira coupling reactions of haloaromatic compounds with terminal alkynes.     

Catalytic steam reforming of model compounds of biomass pyrolysis liquids in fluidized bed reactor with modified Ni/Al catalysts

Catalytic steam reforming of acetic acid and hydroxyacetone (acetol) as model compounds of the aqueous fraction of bio-oil (biomass derived pyrolysis liquids) was studied in fluidized bed reactor over Ni/Al catalysts modified with calcium or magnesium. Attrition tests showed that the use of small quantities of these promoters improved the mechanical strength of the reforming catalyst. An optimum Ca/Al molar ratio of 0.12 and a Mg/Al molar ratio of 0.26 leaded to attrition rates of 0.22 and 0.27 wt%/h, respectively. Steam reforming experiments were performed at 650 °C and a steam to carbon molar ratio (S/C) of 5.58. The promoted catalysts showed different acetic acid steam reforming activities depending on the Ca/Al or Mg/Al molar ratios. Magnesium modified catalysts with a Mg/Al molar ratios of 0.26 and 0.50 showed good performances with almost no activity loss with time in contrast to the calcium modified catalysts that showed higher CO and CH₄ yields. The addition of calcium generated a NiO phase with less interaction with the support. The highest H₂ yield and carbon conversion in acetic steam reforming were obtained by a magnesium promoted catalyst with a Mg/Al ratio of 0.26, while the nonpromoted Ni/Al catalyst showed the best performance in acetol steam reforming. Then, the nature of the organic compound influenced the performance of the different catalysts.     

Temperature-programmed desoprtion of H2 from the surfaces of pd/support and Pd-Ag/support catalysts (support = Al2O3, SiO2)

Thermal desorption of H₂ from the surface of Pd/support and Pd-Ag/support (support = Al₂O₃, SiO₂) catalysts has been investigated. Two wide desorption peaks can be observed for the 5% Pd/support catalyst. The presence of these peaks in the thermogram indicates that several adsorption states exist, which is the result of occurrance of different adsorption centers of specific bond strengths for hydrogen. The addition of silver to the palladium catalysts causes a considerable decrease in the size of the high temperature desorption peak. It is also worth noting that the temperature of the maximum of the desorption rate remains practically constant for all bimetallic catalysts studied. This means that the activation energy of the hydrogen desorption process does not change after the introduction of silver to the palladium catalyst.     

Preparation of Pd/C catalysts via deposition of palladium hydroxide onto Sibunit carbon and their application to partial hydrogenation of rapeseed oil

Pd/Sibunit catalysts were prepared by deposition of palladium hydroxide onto the support surface in an alkaline medium. It was found that the palladium distribution throughout the catalyst grain, and the dispersion of Pd particles depend on (i) the order of the addition of H₂PdCl₄ and Na₂CO₃ to carbon suspension, (ii) Na₂CO₃ to H₂PdCl₄ ratio, and (iii) aging time of the mixture H₂PdCl₄ + Na₂CO₃ before its addition to the carbon. The catalysts were tested in the hydrogenation of cyclohexene and rapeseed oil under static conditions. The yield of trans-isomers as products of partial hydrogenation of rapeseed oil was found to decrease with decreasing the Pd particle size in the catalysts, as well as with increasing the Pd concentration on the periphery of the support grains.     

Nanostructured PdRu/C catalysts for formic acid oxidation

Pd and bimetallic PdRu nanoparticles supported on Vulcan XC-72 carbon prepared by the microwave-assisted polyol process are examined as electrocatalysts for the electrooxidation of formic acid. The catalysts are characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Pd and PdRu nanoparticles with sizes of <10 nm display the characteristic diffraction peaks of a Pd face-centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure. It is found that the addition of Ru to Pd/C can decrease the lattice parameter of Pd (fcc) crystal. The electrocatalytic activities of the catalysts are evaluated in sulfuric acid solution containing 1 M formic acid using linear sweeping voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results show that Pd₅Ru₁/C displays the best electrocatalytic performance among all catalysts for formic acid electrooxidation.     

Selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene on Pd/Al2O3: Effect of the addition of Pt and particle size

Phenylacetylene hydrogenation on Pd, Pt and Pd–Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts has been studied. In all catalysts activity was found not to depend on particle size. However, selectivity to styrene was found to depend on Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts. Carbon deposition in both metal and support explains such a behavior. Nevertheless, in small Pd particles a longer residence time of styrene may control the selectivity.     

A Hydrothermally Stable Irreducible Oxide-Modified Pd/MgAl2O4 Catalyst for Methane Combustion

Catalytic combustion is promising in removing trace amounts of CH₄ to address serious environmental concerns. Supported Pd-based catalysts are most effective but often suffer from low stability in applications owing to the water-vapor-induced sintering. Herein, we develop a universal strategy to prepare irreducible-oxide-modified Pd/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts which show high activity and excellent stability against both hydrothemal aging at elevated temperatures and deactivation in long-term reaction under wet conditions. The addition of irreducible oxides inhibited the deep oxidation of Pd in the oxygen-rich conditions, which preserved not only the epitaxial structure but also a suitable active phase of Pd-PdO_x on MgAl₂O₄, thus promoting both activity and stability. This work provides new insights into the effect of metal–oxide interaction on CH₄ combustion and offers an avenue to design hydrothermally stable and active combustion catalysts for industrial applications.     

Studies of the oxidation of palladium complexes by the advanced oxidation process Pretreatment of model catalysts for precious metal analysis

The advanced oxidation process (AOP) for the pretreatment of model palladium catalysts has been studied. Most standard metal analysis techniques are for metal ions free of organic ligands. Spent palladium catalysts contain organic ligands that need to be removed prior to analysis. AOP uses a combination of hydrogen peroxide and UV light to generate radicals that decompose such ligands, freeing up metals for further analysis. Palladium acetate Pd(OAc)₂, palladium acetylacetonate Pd(acac)₂, and tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (Pd₂(dba)₃) were chosen as model precious metal catalysts for investigation. AOP was found to decompose ligands in Pd(OAc)₂, Pd(acac)₂ and give accurate Pd(II) quantification, while ligand decomposition and oxidation of Pd(0) to Pd(II) were demonstrated in treatments involving Pd₂(dba)₃. The effects of solubility of the palladium complexes, continuous addition of H₂O₂ during AOP treatments, sample pH, concentration of H₂O₂, and length of UV irradiation are reported.     

Methane Combustion Over Fe, Co and Ni Modified Manganese Oxide Catalysts

Fe-Mn, Co-Mn and Ni-Mn composite oxide catalysts based on high specific surface area MnO₂ precursor were prepared and applied to catalytic combustion of CH₄. Results were compared with that of unmodified MnOx and 1wt.% Pd/-Al₂O₃. Below 450°C, manganese oxide catalysts show higher activity than Pd/-Al₂O₃, while the modified manganese oxide catalysts exhibit higher activity than the unmodified one below 420°C. All catalysts were characterized by means of N₂-BET, XRD, TG-DTA and H₂-TPR. Due to the interaction between Fe, Co or Ni oxides and manganese oxide, the activity of the oxygen species of the modified catalysts is improved, which leads to the increase of their CH₄ combustion activity.