Reactions of carbon monoxide with free palladium oxide clusters: strongly size dependent competition between adsorption and combustion

The gas phase reactions of carbon monoxide with small mass-selected clusters of palladium, Pd(x)(+) (x = 2-7), and their oxides, Pd(x)O(+) (x = 2-7) and Pd(x)O(2)(+) (x = 4-6), have been investigated in a radio frequency ion trap operated under multi-collision conditions. The bare palladium clusters were found to readily adsorb CO yielding a highly size dependent product pattern. Most interestingly, the reactions of the pre-oxidized palladium clusters with CO lead to very similar product distributions of Pd(x)(CO)(z)(+) complexes as in the case of the corresponding pure Pd(x)(+) clusters. Consequently, it has been concluded that the investigated palladium oxide clusters efficiently oxidize CO under formation of the bare clusters, which further adsorb CO molecules yielding the previously observed Pd(x)(CO)(z)(+) product complex distributions. This CO combustion reaction has been observed even at temperatures as low as 100 K. However, for Pd(2)O(+), Pd(6)O(+), Pd(6)O(2)(+), and Pd(7)O(+) a competing reaction channel yielding palladium oxide carbonyls Pd(x)O(CO)(z)(+) could be detected. The latter adsorption reaction may even hamper the CO combustion under certain reaction conditions and indicates enhanced activation barriers involved in the CO oxidation and/or the CO(2) elimination process on these clusters.     

Complete Oxidation of Methane Alumina Modified with Calcium, over Palladium Supported on Lanthanum, and Cerium Ions

The activity and thermal stability of Pd/Al2O3 and Pd/（Al2O3＋MOx） （M=Ca, La, Ce） palladium catalysts in the reaction of complete oxidation of methane are presented in this study. The catalyst supports were prepared by sol-gel method and they were dried either conventionally or with supercritical carbon dioxide. Then they were impregnated with palladium nitrate solution. The catalysts with unmodified alumina had a high surface area. The activity and thermal stability of the aluminasupported catalyst was also very high. The introduction of calcium, lanthanum, or cerium oxide into alumina support caused a decrease of the surface area in the way dependent on the support precursor drying method. These modifiers decreased the activity of palladium catalysts, and they required higher temperatures for the complete oxidation of methane than unmodified Pd/Al2O3. The improvement of the palladium activity by lanthanum and cerium support modifier was observed only at low temperatures of the reaction.     

Complete Oxidation of Methane over Palladium Supported on Alumina Modified with Calcium,Lanthanum,and Cerium Ions

The activity and thermal stability of Pd/Al_2O_3 and Pd/(Al_2O_3 MO_x)(M=Ca,La,Ce) palladium catalysts in the reaction of complete oxidation of methane are presented in this study.The catalyst supports were prepared by sol-gel method and they were dried either conventionally or with supercritical carbon dioxide.Then they were impregnated with palladium nitrate solution.The catalysts with unmodified alumina had a high surface area.The activity and thermal stability of the alumina- supported catalyst was also very high.The introduction of calcium,lanthanum,or cerium oxide into alumina support caused a decrease of the surface area in the way dependent on the support precursor drying method.These modifiers decreased the activity of palladium catalysts,and they required higher temperatures for the complete oxidation of methane than unmodified Pd/Al_2O_3.The improvement of the palladium activity by lanthanum and cerium support modifier was observed only at low temperatures of the reaction.     

Active surfaces for CO oxidation on palladium in the hyperactive state

Hyperactivity was previously observed for CO oxidation over palladium, rhodium, and platinum surfaces under oxygen-rich conditions, characterized by reaction rates 2-3 orders higher than those observed under stoichiometric reaction conditions [Chen et al. Surf. Sci. 2007, 601, 5326]. In the present study, the formation of large amounts of CO(2) and the depletion of CO at the hyperactive state on both Pd(100) and polycrystalline Pd foil were evidenced by the infrared intensities of the gas phase CO(2) and CO, respectively. The active surfaces at the hyperactive state for palladium were characterized using infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS, 450-4000 cm(-1)) under the realistic catalytic reaction condition. Palladium oxide on a Pd(100) surface was reduced eventually by CO at 450 K, and also under CO oxidation conditions at 450 K. In situ IRAS combined with isotopic (18)O(2) revealed that the active surfaces for CO oxidation on Pd(100) and Pd foil are not a palladium oxide at the hyperactive state and under oxygen-rich reaction conditions. The results demonstrate that a chemisorbed oxygen-rich surface of Pd is the active surface corresponding to the hyperactivity for CO oxidation on Pd. In the hyperactive region, the CO(2) formation rate is limited by the mass transfer of CO to the surface.     

Cluster size-dependent mechanisms of the CO + NO reaction on small Pdn (n < or = 30) clusters on oxide surfaces

The CO + NO reaction (2CO + 2NO --> N(2) + 2CO(2)) on small size-selected palladium clusters supported on thin MgO(100) films reveals distinct size effects in the size range Pd(n) with n < or = 30. Clusters up to the tetramer are inert, while larger clusters form CO(2) at around 300 K, and this main reaction mechanism involves adsorbed CO and an adsorbed oxygen atom, a reaction product from the dissociation of NO. In addition, clusters consisting of 20-30 atoms reveal a low-temperature mechanism observed at temperatures below 150 K; the corresponding reaction mechanism can be described as a direct reaction of CO with molecularly adsorbed NO. Interestingly, for all reactive cluster sizes, the reaction temperature of the main mechanism is at least 150 K lower than those for palladium single crystals and larger particles. This indicates that the energetics of the reaction on clusters are distinctly different from those on bulklike systems. In the presented one-cycle experiments, the reaction is inhibited when strongly adsorbed NO blocks the CO adsorption sites. In addition, the obtained results reveal the interaction of NO with the clusters to show differences as a function of size; on larger clusters, both molecularly bonded and dissociated NO coexist, while on small clusters, NO is efficiently dissociated, and hardly any molecularly bonded NO is detected. The desorption of N(2) occurs on the reactive clusters between 300 and 500 K.     

Dehydrogenation of dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole on Pd/Al2O3 model catalysts

To elucidate the dehydrogenation mechanism of dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole (H(12)-NEC) on supported Pd catalysts, we have performed a model study under ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions. H(12)-NEC and its final dehydrogenation product, N-ethylcarbazole (NEC), were deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) at temperatures between 120 K and 520 K onto a supported model catalyst, which consisted of Pd nanoparticles grown on a well-ordered alumina film on NiAl(110). Adsorption and thermally induced surface reactions were followed by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) and high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HR-XPS) in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was shown that, at 120 K, H(12)-NEC adsorbs molecularly both on the Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(110) support and on the Pd particles. Initial activation of the molecule occurs through C-H bond scission at the 8a- and 9a-positions of the carbazole skeleton at temperatures above 170 K. Dehydrogenation successively proceeds with increasing temperature. Around 350 K, breakage of one C-N bond occurs accompanied by further dehydrogenation of the carbon skeleton. The decomposition intermediates reside on the surface up to 500 K. At higher temperatures, further decay to small fragments and atomic species is observed. These species block most of the absorption sites on the Pd particles, but can be oxidatively removed by heating in oxygen at 600 K, fully restoring the original adsorption properties of the model catalyst.     

Preparation and characterization of ultrathin [Ru(CO)3Cl2]2 and [BMIM][Tf2N] films on Al2O3/NiAl(110) under UHV conditions

Towards a better understanding of the interface chemistry of ionic liquid (IL) thin film catalytic systems we have applied a rigorous surface science model approach. For the first time, a model homogeneous catalyst has been prepared under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The catalyst, di-μ-chlorobis(chlorotricarbonylruthenium) [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2), and the solvent, the IL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [BMIM][Tf(2)N], have been deposited by physical vapor deposition onto an alumina model support [Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(110)]. First, the interaction between thin films of [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) and the support is investigated. Then, the ruthenium complex is co-deposited with the IL and the influence of the solvent on the catalyst is discussed. D(2)O, which is a model reactant, is further added. Growth, surface interactions, and mutual interactions in the thin films are studied with IRAS in combination with density functional (DFT) calculations. At 105 K, molecular adsorption of [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) is observed on Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(110). The IRAS spectra of the binary [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) + [BMIM][Tf(2)N] and ternary [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) + [BMIM][Tf(2)N] + D(2)O show every characteristic band of the individual components. Above 223 K, partial decomposition of the ruthenium complex leads to species of molecular nature attributed to Ru(CO) and Ru(CO)(2) surface species. Formation of metallic ruthenium clusters occurs above 300 K and the model catalyst decomposes further at higher temperatures. Neither the presence of the IL nor of D(2)O prevents this partial decomposition of [Ru(CO)(3)Cl(2)](2) on alumina.     

Activation of the C-O bond on the surface of palladium: An <Emphasis Type="Italic">In situ</Emphasis> study by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and sum frequency generation

An in situ study of the adsorption of CO on atomically smooth and defect Pd(111) surfaces was performed over wide ranges of temperatures (200–400 K) and pressures (10^–6-1 mbar) by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and sum frequency generation. Both of the techniques indicated that CO was adsorbed as three-fold hollow, bridging, and terminal species to form well-known ordered structures on the surface. In the course of the in situ experiments, no signs of CO dissociation or of the formation of carbonyl structures (Pd(CO)_n, n > 1) were detected. The mechanism of C-O bond activation in the course of methanol decomposition on the surface of palladium was considered. It was found that the adsorption of methanol on the surface of palladium essentially depends on pressure. Along with the well-known reaction path of methanol dehydrogenation to CO and hydrogen, a slow process of methanol decomposition with C-O bond cleavage was observed at elevated pressures. In this case, the formation of carbon deposits finally resulted in the carbonization and complete deactivation of the surface. A mechanism for C-O bond activation on the surface of palladium was proposed; the geometry of adsorption complexes plays an important role in this mechanism.__________Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 46, No. 2, 2005, pp. 288–301.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kaichev, Bukhtiyarov, Rupprechter, Freund.     

Displacement of hexanol by the hexanoic acid overoxidation product in alcohol oxidation on a model supported palladium nanoparticle catalyst

This work characterizes the adsorption, structure, and binding mechanism of oxygenated organic species from cyclohexane solution at the liquid/solid interface of optically flat alumina-supported palladium nanoparticle surfaces prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The surface-specific nonlinear optical vibrational spectroscopy, sum-frequency generation (SFG), was used as a probe for adsorption and interfacial molecular structure. 1-Hexanoic acid is an overoxidation product and possible catalyst poison for the aerobic heterogeneous oxidation of 1-hexanol at the liquid/solid interface of Pd/Al(2)O(3) catalysts. Single component and competitive adsorption experiments show that 1-hexanoic acid adsorbs to both ALD-prepared alumina surfaces and alumina surfaces with palladium nanoparticles, that were also prepared by ALD, more strongly than does 1-hexanol. Furthermore, 1-hexanoic acid adsorbs with conformational order on ALD-prepared alumina surfaces, but on surfaces with palladium particles the adsorbates exhibit relative disorder at low surface coverage and become more ordered, on average, at higher surface coverage. Although significant differences in binding constant were not observed between surfaces with and without palladium nanoparticles, the palladium particles play an apparent role in controlling adsorbate structures. The disordered adsorption of 1-hexanoic acid most likely occurs on the alumina support, and probably results from modification of binding sites on the alumina, adjacent to the particles. In addition to providing insight on the possibility of catalyst poisoning by the overoxidation product and characterizing changes in its structure that result in only small adsorption energy changes, this work represents a step toward using surface science techniques that bridge the complexity gap between fundamental studies and realistic catalyst models.     

Low temperature carbon monoxide catalytic oxidation at the Pd/Ce–Zr–Al–Ox catalyst

The homogeneous chemical composition ceria–zirconia–alumina (Ce–Zr–Al–O_x) nano-alloy were successfully synthesized by surfactant-assisted parallel flow co-precipitation method and applied as supports for low temperature CO oxidation. The experiment conditions were studied in detailed. At 0.92 wt% Pd loading, 30,000 ppm CO could be completely oxidized to CO₂ at 30 °C at a WHSV of 4,380 ml g^?1 h^?1 over the Pd/Ce–Zr–Al–O_x (n_Ce:n_Zr = 3:1) catalyst. Pd/Ce–Zr–Al–O_x catalysts were systematical studied by mean of BET, XRD and TEM analysis. XRD characterization showed that zirconium element entered into cubic structure of ceria and leaded to structure distortion. Addition of aluminum increased specific surface area of ceria–zirconia solid solution substantially. The average pore diameter of Ce–Zr–Al–O_x support palladium catalysts were the key impact factor for CO oxidation. When the Pd/Ce–Zr–Al–O_x catalysts had highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles, large average pore diameter, suitable surface area and pore volume, the activity of CO oxidation was the best.     

Pd-based sulfated zirconia prepared by a single step sol–gel procedure for lean NOx reduction

Pd-based sulfated zirconia catalysts have been prepared through a single step (one-pot) sol–gel preparation technique, in which both sulfate and Pd precursors were dissolved in an organic solution before the gelation step. Observation of the calcination procedure through TGA/DSC and mass spectrometry revealed that the addition of increasing amounts of Pd resulted in the evolution of organic precursor species at lower temperatures. In situ XRD experiments showed that tetragonal zirconia is formed at lower temperatures and larger zirconia crystallites are formed when Pd is added to the gel. Although tetragonal zirconia was the only phase observed through XRD, Raman spectra of samples calcined at 700 °C showed the presence of both the tetragonal and the monoclinic phase, indicating a surface phase transition. DRIFTS experiments showed NO species adsorbed on Pd²⁺ cations. Pd/SZ catalysts prepared through this single step method were active for the reduction of NO₂ with CH₄ under lean conditions. Calcination temperature had a significant effect on this activity, with samples calcined at 700 °C being much more active than those calcined at 600 °C, despite the observed transition to the monoclinic phase. This activity may be linked to observed changes in the surface sulfate species at higher calcination temperatures.     

Kinetic Evidence for the Influence of Subsurface Oxygen on Palladium Surfaces Towards CO Oxidation at High Temperatures

Transient state kinetics of the catalytic oxidation of CO with O₂ on Pd‐surfaces has been measured under isothermal conditions by using a molecular beam approach. Systematic studies were carried out as a function of reaction temperature and CO+O₂ composition. With sufficient kinetic evidence, we have demonstrated the positive influence of subsurface oxygen towards CO‐adsorption and oxidation to CO₂ at high temperatures (600–900 K) on Pd‐surfaces, and the likely electronic nature of the surface changes with oxygen in the subsurface. These studies also provide a direct proof for CO‐adsorption with a significantly reactive sticking coefficient at high temperatures on Pd‐surfaces exhibiting a significant subsurface O‐coverage.     

Structure of activated complex of CO2 formation in a CO + O2 reaction on Pd(110) and Pd(111)

Examinations of CO2 formed during steady-state CO oxidation reactions were performed using infrared (IR) chemiluminescence. The CO2 was formed using a molecular-beam method over Pd(110) and Pd(111). The CO2 formation rate is temperature dependent under various partial pressure conditions. The temperature of the maximum formation rate is denoted as TSmax. Analyses of IR emission spectra at surface temperatures higher than TSmax showed that the average vibrational temperature (TVAV) is higher for Pd(111) than for Pd(110). The antisymmetric vibrational temperature (TVAS) is almost equal on both surfaces. These results suggest that the activated CO2 complex is more bent on Pd(111) and straighter on Pd(110). Furthermore, the difference in the TVAV value was small for surface temperatures less than TSmax. The TVAS value was much higher than TVAV on both surfaces. These phenomena were observed only when the surface temperature was lower than TSmax: they became more pronounced at lower temperatures, suggesting that the activated complex of CO2 formation is much straighter on both Pd surfaces than that observed at higher surface temperatures. Combined with kinetic results, the higher CO coverage at the lower surface temperatures is inferred to be related to the linear activated complex of CO2 formation.     

Structural and adsorptive properties of Ba or Mg oxide modified zirconia

Zirconia nanoparticles modified by barium oxide or magnesium oxide were synthesized by using a co-precipitation process followed by ethanol supercritical drying. The nanoparticles obtained were further calcined at 873 K. BET surface area, XRD, and TGA were used to characterize the prepared samples. Isotherms of N2 and CO2 adsorption on these modified zirconia nanoparticles were measured at various temperatures. Additions of BaO or MgO resulted in an increase in CO2 adsorption capacity of the modified zirconia particles. Results also show that BaO as a modifier is more effective than MgO in enhancing the CO2 adsorption capacity of zirconia. At 1 bar and 473 K, Ba modified zirconia adsorbs approximately 0.25 mmol/g of CO2.     

Isothermal kinetic study of nitric oxide adsorption and decomposition on Pd(111) surfaces: molecular beam experiments

The kinetics of NO adsorption and dissociation on Pd(111) surfaces and the NO sticking coefficient (s(NO)) were probed by isothermal kinetic measurements between 300 and 525 K using a molecular beam instrument. NO dissociation and N2 productions were observed in the transient state from 425 K and above on Pd(111) surfaces with selective nitrogen production. Maximum nitrogen production was observed between 475 and 500 K. It was found that, at low temperatures, between 300 and 350 K, molecular adsorption occurs with a constant initial s(NO) of 0.5 until the Pd(111) surface is covered to about 70-80% by NO. Then s(NO) rapidly decreases with further increasing NO coverage, indicating typical precursor kinetics. The dynamic adsorption - desorption equilibrium on Pd(111) was probed in modulated beam experiments below 500 K. CO titration experiments after NO dosing indicate the diffusion of oxygen into the subsurface regions and beginning surface oxidation at > or = 475 K. Finally, we discuss the results with respect to the rate-limiting character of the different elementary steps of the reaction system.     

Structural chemistry, monoclinic-to-orthorhombic phase transition, and CO2 adsorption behavior of the small pore scandium terephthalate, Sc2(O2CC6H4)CO2)3, and its nitro- and amino-functionalized derivatives

The crystal structure of the small pore scandium terephthalate Sc(2)(O(2)CC(6)H(4)CO(2))(3) (hereafter Sc(2)BDC(3), BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) has been investigated as a function of temperature and of functionalization, and its performance as an adsorbent for CO(2) has been examined. The structure of Sc(2)BDC(3) has been followed in vacuo over the temperature range 140 to 523 K by high resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, revealing a phase change at 225 K from monoclinic C2/c (low temperature) to Fddd (high temperature). The orthorhombic form shows negative thermal expansivity of 2.4 × 10(-5) K(-1): Rietveld analysis shows that this results largely from a decrease in the c axis, which is caused by carboxylate group rotation. (2)H wide-line and MAS NMR of deuterated Sc(2)BDC(3) indicates reorientation of phenyl groups via π flips at temperatures above 298 K. The same framework solid has also been prepared using monofunctionalized terephthalate linkers containing -NH(2) and -NO(2) groups. The structure of Sc(2)(NH(2)-BDC)(3) has been determined by Rietveld analysis of synchrotron powder diffraction at 100 and 298 K and found to be orthorhombic at both temperatures, whereas the structure of Sc(2)(NO(2)-BDC)(3) has been determined by single crystal diffraction at 298 K and Rietveld analysis of synchrotron powder diffraction at 100, 298, 373, and 473 K and is found to be monoclinic at all temperatures. Partial ordering of functional groups is observed in each structure. CO(2) adsorption at 196 and 273 K indicates that whereas Sc(2)BDC(3) has the largest capacity, Sc(2)(NH(2)-BDC)(3) shows the highest uptake at low partial pressure because of strong -NH(2)···CO(2) interactions. Remarkably, Sc(2)(NO(2)-BDC)(3) adsorbs 2.6 mmol CO(2) g(-1) at 196 K (P/P(0) = 0.5), suggesting that the -NO(2) groups are able to rotate to allow CO(2) molecules to diffuse along the narrow channels.     

Zn adsorption on Pd(111): ZnO and PdZn alloy formation

The adsorption and thermal desorption of Zn and ZnO on Pd(111) was studied in the temperature range between 300 and 1300 K with TDS, LEED, and CO adsorption measurements. At temperatures below 400 K, multilayer growth of Zn metal on the Pd(111) surface takes place. At a coverage of 0.75 ML of Zn, a p(2 x 2)-3Zn LEED structure is observed. Increasing the coverage to 3 ML results in a (1 x 1) LEED pattern arising from an ordered Zn multilayer on Pd(111). Thermal desorption of the Zn multilayer state leads to two distinct Zn desorption peaks: a low-temperature desorption peak (400-650 K) arising from upper Zn layers and a second peak (800-1300 K) originating from the residual 1 ML Zn overlayer, which is more strongly bound to the Pd(111) surface and blocks CO adsorption completely. Above 650 K, this Zn adlayer diffuses into the subsurface region and the surface is depleted in Zn, as can be deduced from an increased amount of CO adsorption sites. Deposition of >3 ML of Zn at 750 K leads to the formation of a well-ordered Pd-Zn alloy exhibiting a (6 x 4 square root 3/3)rect. LEED structure. CO adsorption measurements on this surface alloy indicate a high Pd surface concentration and a strong reduction of the CO adsorption energy. Deposition of Zn at T > 373 K in 10(-6) mbar of O2 leads to the formation of an epitaxial (6 x 6) ZnO overlayer on Pd(111). Dissociative desorption of ZnO from this overlayer occurs quantitatively both with respect to Zn and O2 above 750 K, providing a reliable calibration for both ZnO, Zn, and oxygen coverage.     

Equilibrium and Kinetics of NO and CO Chemisorptions on Nonstoichiometric Nickel-Copper Manganites

The equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption of NO and CO on nonstoichiometric nickel-copper manganites have been investigated through volumetric measurements. The adsorption isotherms were satisfactorily fitted to the Freundlich equation. The equilibrium coverages at 298 K were found to depend closely on the chemical composition of the oxide; thus, a decrease in the coverage beyond a maximum copper extent was observed. The adsorption isotherms of NO at various temperatures in the range from 298 to 473 K showed that the equilibrium coverage decreases with increasing temperature. This behavior enabled us to follow the logarithmic decrease of the heat of adsorption of NO on such surfaces. The adsorptions of NO and CO on surfaces preadsorbed with CO and NO, respectively, were also studied. These experiments showed the ability of NO to displace CO preadsorbed molecules whereas the contrary did not hold, suggesting the existence of common adsorption sites as well as some specific CO adsorption sites. Finally, some kinetic data are reported showing that the experimental adsorption results fit the Elovich equation (with t(0) approximately 0), although two distinct rate processes could be identified. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

A molecular beam study of the NO + CO reaction on Pd(111) surfaces

Nitric oxide (NO) reduction with carbon monoxide (CO) on the Pd(111) surface was studied under isothermal conditions by molecular beam techniques as a function of temperature, NO:CO beam composition, and beam flux. Systematic experiments were performed under transient and steady state conditions. Displacement of adsorbed CO by NO in the transient state of the reaction was observed at temperatures between 375 and 475 K for all the NO:CO compositions studied. NO accumulation occurs on Pd(111) surface under steady state conditions, below 475 K, due to stronger chemisorption of NO. The steady state reaction rates attain a maximum at about 475 K, nearly independent of beam composition. N2 was found to be the major product of the reduction, along with a minor production of N2O. The production of N2 and N2O indicates molecular and dissociative adsorption of NO on Pd(111) at temperatures up to 525 K. Postreaction TPD measurements were performed in order to determine the nitrogen coverage under steady-state conditions. Finally, the results are discussed with respect to the rate-controlling character of the different elementary steps of the reaction system.     

Hydrodechlorination of 4-Chlorophenol on Pd-Fe Catalysts on Mesoporous ZrO2SiO2 Support

A mesoporous support based on silica and zirconia (ZS) was used to prepare monometallic 1 wt% Pd/ZS, 10 wt% Fe/ZS, and bimetallic FePd/ZS catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by TPR-H₂, XRD, SEM-EDS, TEM, AAS, and DRIFT spectroscopy of adsorbed CO after H₂ reduction in situ and tested in hydrodechlorination of environmental pollutant 4-chlorophelol in aqueous solution at 30 °C. The bimetallic catalyst demonstrated an excellent activity, selectivity to phenol and stability in 10 consecutive runs. FePd/ZS has exceptional reducibility due to the high dispersion of palladium and strong interaction between FeOx and palladium, confirmed by TPR-H₂, DRIFT spectroscopy, XRD, and TEM. Its reduction occurs during short-time treatment with hydrogen in an aqueous solution at RT. The Pd/ZS was more resistant to reduction but can be activated by aqueous phenol solution and H₂. The study by DRIFT spectroscopy of CO adsorbed on Pd/ZS reduced in harsh (H₂, 330 °C), medium (H₂, 200 °C) and mild conditions (H₂ + aqueous solution of phenol) helped to identify the reasons of the reducing action of phenol solution. It was found that phenol provided fast transformation of Pd⁺ to Pd⁰. Pd/ZS also can serve as an active and stable catalyst for 4-PhCl transformation to phenol after proper reduction.