Tungsten carbide-supported Pd electrocatalysts for triglyceride hydrogenation in a solid polymer electrolyte reactor

Noble metals are often used for the electrochemical hydrogenation of organics, however, substitutes are being sought due to their high cost. Research described in this paper compared the performance of tungsten carbide-supported Pd (Pd/W2C) catalysts to those of W2C, Pd and other noble metals for the hydrogenation of triglycerides in a solid polymer electrolyte reactor. Rates for the Pd/W2C catalysts increased with increasing Pd loading. The 6 wt.% Pd/W2C catalyst exhibited the highest activity, and was more active than the Pd or W2C catalysts, indicating a possible synergy. Hydrogenation rates for all of the catalysts were functions of the applied potential, suggesting that the rate-determining step was electrochemical.

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► W2C-supported Pd catalysts exhibited high triglyceride hydrogenation rates.
► Synergy between W2C and Pd could explain the excellent performance.
► Rate-potential dependence suggests an electrochemical rate-determining step.