Characterization and functionalities of Pd/hydrotalcite catalysts

A series of palladium supported on calcined hydrotalcite (CHT) catalysts with varying palladium (Pd) loadings (1.0-8.0 wt%) were prepared by impregnation method. Their catalytic performance was evaluated for the reductive amination of phenol to aniline that showed a tremendous interest in the chemical industry. The catalysts were characterized by BET surface area, XRD, TEM, XPS, TPR of H2, TPD of CO2 and CO chemisorption. BET surface area decreased continuously with increase in Pd content. XRD results confirmed the changes in the crystalline phases with altering Pd content. TEM results showed the formation of fine particles at lower loadings and agglomerates at higher loadings. TPR profiles revealed that the reducibility increases with increase of Pd loading. CO2 TPD results illustrate the catalysts basicity increases with increase of Pd loading up to 4.0 wt% and decreases at higher loadings. Pd dispersion, metal area and crystallite sizes were determined by CO chemisorption method. Pd dispersion and metal area decreases with increase of Pd content and crystallite sizes. The results demonstrated that the Pd dispersion and basic properties are depending on the Pd loading. The catalytic performance clearly showed that the increase Pd loading the conversion of phenol increased up to 2.0 wt% and level off beyond the loading. The catalytic properties are well correlated with the active Pd sites determined by CO chemisorption, dispersion and basicity.