Bimetallic Pt/Pd diesel oxidation catalysts: Structural characterisation and catalytic behaviour

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies on supported bimetallic Pt/Pd diesel oxidation catalyst (Pt:Pd weight ratio 2:1) after various treatments were compared with those of monometallic Pd and Pt catalysts prepared under similar conditions. After calcination and thermal ageing, the coexistence of alloyed bimetallic Pt/Pd particles and of tetragonal PdO has been found in the bimetallic Pt/Pd catalyst. PdO is present in form of crystals at the surface of the Pt/Pd particles or as isolated PdO crystals on the support oxide. Bimetallic Pt/Pd nanoparticles were already formed in the Pt/Pd catalyst after calcination. Hydrogen treatment causes the formation of randomly alloyed Pt/Pd nanoparticles. In the thermally aged catalyst, a strong indication for an enrichment of Pt in the interior of the particle and of Pd at its outer shell was found. In the monometallic catalyst, the Pd is found to be completely oxidised already after calcination and to consist of metallic Pd in zero-valent state exclusively after reductive treatment. Ageing under hydrothermal oxidative atmosphere leads to complete oxidation of the Pd species. After calcinations, the catalytic activity of the Pt/Pd catalyst studied is comparable to those of monometallic Pt catalysts. In contrast to monometallic Pt catalysts, the alloyed system show significant stabilisation against sintering and a much higher activity after the thermal ageing step. This stabilisation of dispersion and the presence of Pt atoms on the surface of the Pt/Pd particles are considered to cause the higher catalytic activity of metallic particles for the oxidation of carbon monoxide and propene after ageing.     

Overcoming the "oxidant problem": strategies to use O2 as the oxidant in organometallic C-H oxidation reactions catalyzed by Pd (and Cu)

Oxidation reactions are key transformations in organic chemistry because they can increase chemical complexity and incorporate heteroatom substituents into carbon-based molecules. This principle is manifested in the conversion of petrochemical feedstocks into commodity chemicals and in the synthesis of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other complex organic molecules. The utility and function of these molecules correlate directly with the presence and specific placement of oxygen and nitrogen heteroatoms and other functional groups within the molecules. Methods for selective oxidation of C-H bonds have expanded significantly over the past decade, and their role in the synthesis of organic chemicals will continue to increase. Our group's contributions to this field are linked to our broader interest in the development and mechanistic understanding of aerobic oxidation reactions. Molecular oxygen (O(2)) is the ideal oxidant. Its low cost and lack of toxic byproducts make it a highly appealing reagent that can address key "green chemistry" priorities in industry. With strong economic and environmental incentives to use O(2), the commmodity chemicals industry often uses aerobic oxidation reactions. In contrast, O(2) is seldom used to prepare more-complex smaller-volume chemicals, a limitation that reflects, in part, the limited synthetic scope and utility of existing aerobic reactions. Pd-catalyzed reactions represent some of the most versatile methods for selective C-H oxidation, but they often require stoichiometric transition-metal or organic oxidants, such as Cu(II), Ag(I), or benzoquinone. This Account describes recent strategies that we have identified to use O(2) as the oxidant in these reactions. In Pd-catalyzed C-H oxidation reactions that form carbon-heteroatom bonds, the stoichiometric oxidant is often needed to promote difficult reductive elimination steps in the catalytic mechanism. To address this challenge, we have identified new ancillary ligands for Pd that promote reductive elimination, or replaced Pd with a Cu catalyst that undergoes facile reductive elimination from a Cu(III) intermediate. Both strategies have enabled O(2) to be used as the sole stoichiometric oxidant in the catalytic reactions. C-H oxidation reactions that form the product via β-hydride or C-C reductive elimination steps tend to be more amenable to the use of O(2). The use of new ancillary ligands has also overcome some of the limitations in these methods. Mechanistic studies are providing insights into some (but not yet all) of these advances in catalytic reactivity.     

Direct functionalization of M-C (M = Pt(II), Pd(II)) bonds using environmentally benign oxidants, O2 and H2O2

Atom economy and the use of "green" reagents in organic oxidation, including oxidation of hydrocarbons, remain challenges for organic synthesis. Solutions to this problem would lead to a more sustainable economy because of improved access to energy resources such as natural gas. Although natural gas is still abundant, about a third of methane extracted in distant oil fields currently cannot be used as a chemical feedstock because of a dearth of economically and ecologically viable methodologies for partial methane oxidation. Two readily available "atom-economical" "green" oxidants are dioxygen and hydrogen peroxide, but few methodologies have utilized these oxidants effectively in selective organic transformations. Hydrocarbon oxidation and C-H functionalization reactions rely on Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes. These reagents have practical advantages because they can tolerate moisture and atmospheric oxygen. But this tolerance for atmospheric oxygen also makes it challenging to develop novel organometallic palladium and platinum-catalyzed C-H oxidation reactions utilizing O(2) or H(2)O(2). This Account focuses on these challenges: the development of M-C bond (M = Pt(II), Pd(II)) functionalization and related selective hydrocarbon C-H oxidations with O(2) or H(2)O(2). Reactions discussed in this Account do not involve mediators, since the latter can impart low reaction selectivity and catalyst instability. As an efficient solution to the problem of direct M-C oxidation and functionalization with O(2) and H(2)O(2), this Account introduces the use of facially chelating semilabile ligands such as di(2-pyridyl)methanesulfonate and the hydrated form of di(2-pyridyl)ketone that enable selective and facile M(II)-C(sp(n)) bond functionalization with O(2) (M = Pt, n = 3; M = Pd, n = 3 (benzylic)) or H(2)O(2) (M = Pd, n = 2). The reactions proceed efficiently in protic solvents such as water, methanol, or acetic acid. With the exception of benzylic Pd(II) complexes, the organometallic substrates studied form isolable high-valent Pt(IV) or Pd(IV) intermediates as a result of an oxidant attack at the M(II) atom. The resulting high-valent M(IV) intermediates undergo C-O reductive elimination, leading to products in high yields. Guidelines for the synthesis of products containing other C-X bonds (X = OAc, Cl, Br) while using O(2) or H(2)O(2) as oxidants are also discussed. Although the M(II)-C bond functionalization reactions including high-valent intermediates are well understood, the mechanism for the aerobic functionalization of benzylic Pd(II) complexes will require a more detailed exploration. Importantly, further optimization of the systems suitable for stoichiometric M(II)-C bond functionalization led to the development of catalytic reactions, including selective acetoxylation of benzylic C-H bonds with O(2) as the oxidant and hydroxylation of aromatic C-H bonds with H(2)O(2) in acetic acid solutions. Both reactions proceed efficiently with substrates that contain a directing heteroatom. This Account also describes catalytic methods for ethylene dioxygenation with H(2)O(2) using M(II) complexes supported by facially chelating ligands. Mechanistic studies of these new oxidation reactions point to important ways to improve their substrate scope and to develop "green" CH functionalization chemistry.     

Reactions of late transition metal complexes with molecular oxygen

Limited natural resources, high energy consumption, economic considerations, and environmental concerns demand that we develop new technologies for the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels. New methods that combine the selective activation of C-H bonds of hydrocarbons with oxidation by a green oxidant such as molecular oxygen would represent huge advances toward this goal. The spectacular selectivity of transition metals in cleaving C-H bonds offers the potential for the direct use of hydrocarbons in the production of value-added organics such as alcohols. However, the use of oxygen, which is abundant, environmentally benign, and inexpensive (particularly from air), has proven challenging, and more expensive and less green oxidants are often employed in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. Advances in the use of oxygen as an oxidant in transition-metal-catalyzed transformations of hydrocarbons will require a better understanding of how oxygen reacts with transition metal alkyl and hydride complexes. For alkane oxidations, researchers will need to comprehend and predict how metals that have shown particularly high activity and selectivity in C-H bond activation (e.g. Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir) will react with oxygen. In this Account, we present our studies of reactions of late metal alkyls and hydrides with molecular oxygen, emphasizing the mechanistic insights that have emerged from this work. Our studies have unraveled some of the general mechanistic features of how molecular oxygen inserts into late metal hydride and alkyl bonds along with a nascent understanding of the scope and limitations of these reactions. We present examples of the formation of metal hydroperoxide species M-OOH by insertion of dioxygen into Pt(IV)-H and Pd(II)-H bonds and show evidence that these reactions proceed by radical chain and hydrogen abstraction pathways, respectively. Comparisons with recent reports of insertion of oxygen into other Pd(II)-H complexes, and also into Ir(III)-H and Rh(III)-H complexes, point to potentially general mechanisms for this type of reaction. Additionally, we observed oxygen-promoted C-H and H-H reductive elimination reactions from five-coordinate Ir(III) alkyl hydride and dihydride complexes, respectively. Further, when Pd(II)Me(2) and Pt(II)Me(2) complexes were exposed to oxygen, insertion processes generated M-OOMe complexes. Mechanistic studies for these reactions are consistent with radical chain homolytic substitution pathways involving five-coordinate M(III) intermediates. Due to the remarkable ability of Pt(II) and Pd(II) to activate the C-H bonds of hydrocarbons (RH) and form M-R species, this reactivity is especially exciting for the development of partial alkane-oxidation processes that utilize molecular oxygen. Our understanding of how late transition metal alkyls and hydrides react with molecular oxygen is growing rapidly and will soon approach our knowledge of how other small molecules such as olefins and carbon monoxide react with these species. Just as advances in understanding olefin and CO insertion reactions have shaped important industrial processes, key insight into oxygen insertion should lead to significant gains in sustainable commercial selective oxidation catalysis.     

Photoredox-Mediated Net-Neutral Radical/Polar Crossover Reactions

Radical/Polar Crossover (RPC) chemistry is a rapidly growing subset of photoredox catalysis that is characterized by transformations featuring both radical and ionic modes of reactivity. Net-neutral RPC is particularly interesting in that both the single-electron oxidation and reduction steps occur through interaction with the photocatalyst, thus precluding the need for exogenous oxidants or reductants. As such, these transformations facilitate rapid incorporation of molecular complexity while maintaining mild reaction conditions. This review covers recent advances in photoredox-mediated net-neutral RPC synthetic methods, with a particular emphasis on C–C bond-forming reactions.     

Recent advances in synthetic transformations mediated by cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate

Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) has recently emerged as a versatile reagent for oxidative electron transfer; the overwhelming number of reports serve as a testimony to the unparalleled utility of CAN in a variety of transformations of synthetic importance. Our recent work has uncovered novel carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions leading to the one-pot synthesis of dihydrofurans, tetrahydrofurans, and aminotetralins. In addition, we have developed a number of facile carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions by the CAN-mediated oxidative addition of soft anions to alkenes. A mechanistic rationale has been provided for the reactions explored. As might be expected of very powerful one-electron oxidants, the chemistry of cerium(IV) oxidation of organic molecules is dominated by radical and radical cation chemistry.     

Transition Metal‐Catalyzed Reactions of Methylenecyclopropanes

The transition metal‐catalyzed formal [3+2] cycloaddition of methylenecyclopropanes with unsaturated compounds X=Y, such as alkenes, aldehydes, and imines, gives five‐membered carbocycles or heterocycles. The Heck‐type reaction of R‐Pd‐X with the exomethylene part of methylenecyclopropanes gives the corresponding cyclopropylcarbinylpalladium complexes which undergo further transformations through typical palladium reactions such as β‐hydride elimination or reductive elimination of Pd(0). Hydrostannation, hydrosilylation, hydrocarbonation, hydroamination, and hydroalkoxylation of methylenecyclopropanes proceed through the addition of the metal hydrides (H‐M) and pronucleophiles (H‐Nu) to the olefinic part, and the resulting intermediates are converted to the allylic products in which the homologation by three carbon atoms takes place from M and Nu, respectively. Bismetallation produces 1,3‐bimetallic derivatives through metallacyclobutane intermediates.     

Transition-metal-catalyzed enantioselective heteroatom-hydrogen bond insertion reactions

Carbon-heteroatom bonds (C-X) are ubiquitous and are among the most reactive components of organic compounds. Therefore investigations of the construction of C-X bonds are fundamental and vibrant fields in organic chemistry. Transition-metal-catalyzed heteroatom-hydrogen bond (X-H) insertions via a metal carbene or carbenoid intermediate represent one of the most efficient approaches to form C-X bonds. Because of the availability of substrates, neutral and mild reaction conditions, and high reactivity of these transformations, researchers have widely applied transition-metal-catalyzed X-H insertions in organic synthesis. Researchers have developed a variety of rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric C-H insertion reactions with high to excellent enantioselectivities for a wide range of substrates. However, at the time that we launched our research, very few highly enantioselective X-H insertions had been documented primarily because of a lack of efficient chiral catalysts and indistinct insertion mechanisms. In this Account, we describe our recent studies of copper- and iron-catalyzed asymmetric X-H insertion reactions by using chiral spiro-bisoxazoline and diimine ligands. The copper complexes of chiral spiro-bisoxazoline ligands proved to be highly enantioselective catalysts for N-H insertions of α-diazoesters into anilines, O-H insertions of α-diazoesters into phenols and water, O-H insertions of α-diazophosphonates into alcohols, and S-H insertions of α-diazoesters into mercaptans. The iron complexes of chiral spiro-bisoxazoline ligands afforded the O-H insertion of α-diazoesters into alcohols and water with unprecedented enantioselectivities. The copper complexes of chiral spiro-diimine ligands exhibited excellent reactivity and enantioselectivity in the Si-H insertion of α-diazoacetates into a wide range of silanes. These transition-metal-catalyzed X-H insertions have many potential applications in organic synthesis because the insertion products, including chiral α-aminoesters, α-hydroxyesters, α-hydroxyphosphonates, α-mercaptoesters, and α-silyl esters, are important building blocks for the synthesis of biologically active compounds. The electronic properties of α-diazoesters and anilines markedly affected the enantioselectivity of N-H insertion reaction, which supports a stepwise ylide insertion mechanism. A novel binuclear spiro copper complex was isolated and fully characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis and ESI-MS analysis. The positive nonlinear effect indicated that binuclear copper complexes were the catalytically active species. The 14-electron copper centers, trans coordination model, perfect C(2)-symmetric chiral pocket, and Cu-Cu interaction facilitate the performance of the chiral spiro catalysts in X-H insertion reactions.     

Sol derived gold–palladium bimetallic nanoparticles on TiO2: structure and catalytic activity in CO oxidation

Bimetallic AuPd catalysts were prepared by deposition of bimetallic aqueous sols formed in different ways: (i) co-reduction of the precursor Au and Pd ions by Na-citrate/tannic acid mixture, (ii) reduction of Au(III) ions onto preformed Pd sol, and (iii) reduction of Pd(II) ions onto a preformed Au sol. The Au/TiO₂ and Pd/TiO₂ samples as references were prepared from their respective sols. The structure of the samples was characterized by XRF, XRD, XPS, TEM and CO chemisorption both in the as-prepared state and after calcination and reduction. The catalytic activities of the calcined/reduced catalysts in the CO oxidation were compared. The presence of bimetallic crystalline phases was evidenced in all three samples both in the as prepared and calcined/reduced states, however, various extents of Pd surface enrichment were determined. The catalytic activity of the bimetallic samples regardless of the preparation method, is about the same as that of the mixture of the monometallic samples. No significant synergism is suggested in the present bimetallic samples.     

Selective Oxidation of Benzyl-Alcohol over Biomass-Supported Au/Pd Bioinorganic Catalysts

We report a novel biochemical method based on the sacrificial hydrogen strategy to synthesise bimetallic Au/Pd nanoparticles supported on bacterial cells. The synergistic effect of Au/Pd over monometallic preparations was demonstrated in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. The bioinorganic catalysts outperformed a commercial Pd catalyst (5% Pd/C) showing no deactivation and high selectivity towards benzaldehyde.     

Chemisorption Complexes on Alloy Surfaces

Three factors have greatly promoted the recent revival of interest in catalysis by alloys.

The first was the finding that in industrial catalysis certain bimetallic systems are superior to monometallic catalysts. Sinfelt [1-5] had a particularly important share in the pioneering work supporting this finding. He showed that the selectivity for catalyzing nondestructive hydrocarbon reactions is often significantly tighter for a bimetallic catalyst than for its most active monometallic constituent. Even more important was the finding that bimetallic catalysts are frequently less susceptible to poisoning by, e.g., carbonaceous residues [1-6], As a consequence, their steady-state activity will be superior to that of monometallic catalysts even if the initial activity was lower.     

Kinetics and selectivity of methyl-ethyl-ketone combustion in air over alumina-supported PdOx–MnOx catalysts

A study is presented of the kinetics and oxidation selectivity of methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK) in air over bimetallic PdO_x(0–1 wt% Pd)–MnO_x(18 wt% Mn)/Al₂O₃ and monometallic PdO_x(1 wt% Pd)/Al₂O₃ and MnO_x(18 wt% Mn)/Al₂O₃ catalysts. Reaction rate data were obtained at temperatures in the 443–523 K range and for MEK partial pressures in the reactor feed of between 6.5 and 126.6 Pa. Products of both MEK combustion and partial oxidation reactions were found. Monometallic Pd/Al₂O₃ was the most selective catalyst for complete oxidation whereas the partial oxidation of MEK in the presence of manganese oxides was significant. The maximum yield for the partial oxidation products (acetaldehyde, methyl-vinyl-ketone, and diacetyl) was always below 10%. Kinetic studies showed that the rates of CO₂ formation over PdO_x/Al₂O₃ were well-fitted by the surface redox Mars–van Krevelen (MvK) kinetic expression and also by a Langmuir–Hinshelwood (LH) model derived after considering the surface reaction between adsorbed MEK and oxygen as the rate-determining step. In the case of the Mn-containing catalysts the MvK model provides the best fit. Irrespective of the model, the kinetic parameters for the bimetallic Pd–Mn catalysts were between the values obtained for the monometallic samples, suggesting an additive rather than a cooperative effect between palladium and manganese species for MEK combustion.     

Chemisorption Complexes on Alloy Surfaces

Abstract

Three factors have greatly promoted the recent revival of interest in catalysis by alloys.

The first was the finding that in industrial catalysis certain bimetallic systems are superior to monometallic catalysts. Sinfelt [1–5] had a particularly important share in the pioneering work supporting this finding. He showed that the selectivity for catalyzing nondestructive hydrocarbon reactions is often significantly tighter for a bimetallic catalyst than for its most active monometallic constituent. Even more important was the finding that bimetallic catalysts are frequently less susceptible to poisoning by, e.g., carbonaceous residues [1–6], As a consequence, their steady-state activity will be superior to that of monometallic catalysts even if the initial activity was lower.     

Trivalent and Tetravalent Nickel in Oxime-Imine-Amine Coordination

Model complexes of nickel(III) and nickel(IV) are furnished by hexadentate and tridentate oxime-imine-amine ligands derived by the condensation of biacetyl monoxime with amines. The synthesis, characterisation, structure, redox equilibria and reactivity of these complexes are critically reviewed. Correlations and generalisations pertaining to oxidation state stability, electroprotic equilibria and reaction mechanisms are examined. The possible significance of the present complexes in the context of the nickel-containing methanogenic enzymes is noted.     

Liquid phase selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol over Pd–Ag catalysts supported on pumice

Selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde was carried out over pumice supported bimetallic and monometallic Pd and Ag catalysts. Preliminary kinetic studies were performed at 333 K in autoclave, at pressure of 2 atm in pure oxygen. Under these conditions, small amounts of benzoic acid were detected with the monometallic Pd pumice being the most active catalyst. The reaction was also carried out under flowing oxygen at atmospheric pressure and at 348 K. Under these conditions, the selectivity to benzaldehyde was 100%. The catalytic activity of the catalysts was measured after different oxidation and reduction treatments at high temperature. In addition, two mechanical mixtures of pretreated Pd and Ag monometallic samples were tested. The structural data (XRD, XPS, EXAFS) along with the catalytic results would indicate that Ag⁰ and Pd⁰ species are the catalytic sites acting with certain synergism.     

Bimetallic gold/palladium catalysts for the selective liquid phase oxidation of glycerol

A new methodology for the preparation of single phase bimetallic Au–Pd on activated carbon (AC) has been recently developed and now used for preparing Au/Pd catalysts at different atomic ratio. The bimetallic catalysts have been tested in the liquid phase oxidation on glycerol in water using oxygen as the oxidant and compared with monometallic Au and Pd catalysts. We observed that strong synergistic effect is present in a large range of Au/Pd ratio, being maximized for Au₉₀–Pd₁₀ composition. Gold-rich composition showed an increased durability compared to palladium-rich alloy.     

Redox chemistry of gold(i) phosphine thiolates: sulfur-based oxidation

The redox chemistry of mononuclear and dinuclear gold(I) phosphine arylthiolate complexes was recently investigated by using electrochemical, chemical, and photochemical techniques. We now report the redox chemistry of dinuclear gold(I) phosphine complexes containing aliphatic dithiolate ligands. These molecules differ from previously studied gold(I) phosphine thiolate complexes in that they are cyclic and contain aliphatic thiolates. Cyclic voltammetry experiments of Au(2) (LL)(pdt) [pdt = propanedithiol; LL = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ethane (dppe), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp), 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb), 1,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane (dpppn)] in 0.1 M TBAH/CH(3)CN or CH(2)Cl(2) solutions at 50 to 500 mV/sec using glassy carbon or platinum electrodes, show two irreversible anodic processes at ca. +0.6 and +1.1 V (vs. SCE). Bulk electrolyses at +0.9 V and +1.4 V result in n values of 0.95 and 3.7, respectively. Chemical oxidation of Au(2)(dppp)(pdt) using one equivalent of Br(2) (2 oxidizing equivalents) yields 1,2-dithiolane and Au(2)(dppp)Br(2). The reactivity seen upon mild oxidation /= +1.3 V) is consistent with oxidation of gold(I) to gold(III). Structural and electrochemical differences between gold(I) aromatic and aliphatic thiolate oxidation processes are discussed.     

Effect of palladium on sulfur resistance in Pt–Pd bimetallic catalysts

The interactions of H₂ and H₂S molecules with Pt–Pd bimetallic catalysts were investigated at the molecular level using a DFT (density functional theory) approach to better understand the structures and properties of active sites, and the relations between structural changes and sulfur resistance. It was found that when alloying the Pt catalyst with a small amount of Pd at a particular surface atomic ratio range, both H₂ and H₂S showed different adsorption properties compared to those on monometallic Pt or Pd catalyst. The adsorptions of both H₂ and H₂S were enhanced, but the adsorption energy of H₂ increased more than that of H₂S, indicating that the adsorption of H₂S became less favorable compared with H₂ on the bimetallic Pt–Pd catalyst surface. The desorption energy of hydrogen from monometallic Pt or Pd, as well as bimetallic Pt–Pd supported on zeolite, were calculated by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), the values were compared against the DFT results to explain experimentally and theoretically why the bimetallic Pt–Pd catalyst has better sulfur resistance than monometallic Pt catalyst.     

Dendrimer templates for heterogeneous catalysts: Bimetallic Pt–Au nanoparticles on oxide supports

Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers were used to template Pt, Au, and bimetallic Pt–Au dendrimer encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs) in solution. Adjusting the solution pH allowed for slow, spontaneous adsorption of the nanoparticles onto silica, alumina, and titania. After dendrimer removal, the catalysts were characterized with infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed CO and tested with CO oxidation catalysis. Infrared spectroscopy of the monometallic Pt catalysts showed a slight shift in the CO stretching frequency for the different supports. For the bimetallic catalysts, infrared spectra showed CO adsorbed on both Pt and on Au sites. Spectra collected during CO desorption showed substantial interactions between the two bands, confirming the presence of bimetallic particles on all the supports. The bimetallic catalysts were found to be more active than the monometallic catalysts and had lower apparent activation energies. The titania supported Pt–Au catalyst was resistant to deactivation during an extended treatment at 300 °C. Correlations between IR spectra and catalytic activity showed differences between the mono- and bimetallic materials and implicated a bimetallic Pt–Au ensemble at the catalytic active site. This is the first study to show that DENs are appropriate precursors for studying support effects on catalysis by metal nanoparticles, although the magnitude of the effects were small.     

Bimetallic Pt–Sn catalysts supported on activated carbon. II. CO oxidation

A commercial activated carbon (AC) was used as a catalyst support either in its original form or after two different oxidation treatments, namely air oxidation and HNO₃ oxidation, aiming at the enhancement of its textural and surface chemical characteristics. These properties were determined by N₂ adsorption and temperature programmed desorption (TPD), respectively. Monometallic Pt and bimetallic Pt–Sn catalysts were prepared on the AC supports. Impregnation was used in the preparation of the monometallic samples. For the bimetallic samples, coimpregnation and a sequential impregnation procedure, in which the Sn precursor is introduced prior to Pt, were used. The Pt load was kept fixed as 1 wt.% for all monometallic and bimetallic samples. Two different Sn loads, 0.25 and 0.50 wt.%, were used for the bimetallic samples in order to investigate the effects of Sn load on the catalytic properties. The catalyst samples were characterized by H₂ adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and structure insensitive benzene hydrogenation. The activities of all samples were measured in CO oxidation. The results indicate the strong effects of the surface chemistry of the AC supports, the Pt:Sn ratio, the preparation procedure and the reduction procedure, on the CO oxidation activities of the catalysts.