Methods for the preparation of bimetallic xerogel catalysts designed for chlorinated wastes processing

The aim of this work is to simplify and generalize the synthesis procedure of bimetallic supported catalysts by sol–gel process. For Pd–Ag/SiO₂ co-gelled xerogels catalysts a number of synthesis procedures were compared: use of one or two specific alkoxides able to form a chelate with palladium and/or silver cations, reagent mixing in one or two steps, use of industrial grade chemicals instead of laboratory grade chemicals. The catalysts obtained are quite similar: same metal dispersion, same tailored morphology, same localization and accessibility of Pd–Ag alloy nanoparticles inside microporous silica, same activity and selectivity for hydrodechlorination of 1,2-dichloroethane into ethylene. For catalyst production at large scale the synthesis can be achieved in one step with 3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyltrimethoxysilane of industrial grade as chelating alkoxide, tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) of industrial grade and ethanol denatured with diethyl phthalate.