Characterization and reactivity of Nb2O5 supported Ru catalysts

A series of Ru/Nb2O5 catalysts with Ru loadings from 0.5–7.18 wt.% were prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of hydrogen and CO chemisorption measurements. XRD patterns reveal the presence of RuO2 from 3.0 wt.% Ru loading. TPR profiles show only one peak due to reduction of RuO2 to Ru0. The H2-TPD exhibits two peaks, one due to desorption of hydrogen from Ru metal and another due to spill over from metal to the support. The catalytic properties were evaluated for the vapor-phase hydrodechlorination of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and related to Ru dispersion.