Hydrogenation on palladium nanoparticles supported by graphene nanoplatelets

Dobrezberger, K., Bosters, J., Moser, N., Yigit, N., Nagl, A., Föttinger, K., Lennon, D. and Rupprechter, G. (2020) Hydrogenation on palladium nanoparticles supported by graphene nanoplatelets. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 124(43), pp. 23674-23682. (doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c06636) (PMID:33154784) (PMCID:PMC7604937)

Abstract

Pd nanoparticles (1 wt %; mean size ∼4 nm) were supported on ∼2 μm sized, but few nanometers thick, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and compared to 1 wt % Pd on activated carbon or γ-alumina. Catalyst morphology, specific surface area, and Pd particle size were characterized by SEM, BET, and TEM, respectively. H2-TPD indicated that GNPs intercalated hydrogen, which may provide additional H2 supply to the Pd nanoparticles during C2H4 hydrogenation. Whereas the two types of Pd/GNPs (NaOH vs calcinated) catalysts were less active than Pd/C and Pd/Al2O3 below 40 °C, at 55 °C they were about 3–4 times more active. As for example Pd/GNPs (NaOH) and Pd/Al2O3 exhibited not too different mean Pd particle size (3.7 vs 2.5 nm, respectively), the higher activity is attributed to the additional hydrogen supply likely by the metal/support interface, as suggested by the varying C2H4 and H2 orders on the different supports. Operando XANES measurements during C2H4 hydrogenation revealed the presence of Pd hydride. The Pd hydride was more stable for Pd/GNPs (NaOH) than for Pd/C, once more pointing to a better hydrogen supply by graphene nanoplatelets.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: G.R. acknowledges the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) for support via projects (Single Atom Catalysis (I 4434-N) and DK+ Solids4Fun (W1243).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lennon, Professor David
• Authors: Dobrezberger, K., Bosters, J., Moser, N., Yigit, N., Nagl, A., Föttinger, K., Lennon, D., and Rupprechter, G.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry C
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• ISSN: 1932-7447
• ISSN (Online): 1932-7455
• Published Online: 19 October 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society
• First Published: First published in Journal of Physical Chemistry C 124(43):23674-23682
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence